Reviewed by: Michael Seale
6 unique antique and retro stores you need to visit
Over the last couple of years, antique malls and retro goods stores have seen an uptick in popularity.
Here are some stand-out stores that we feel best represent what Huntsville, Alabama has to offer.
Railroad Station Antiques
Railroad Station Antiques has been a Huntsville staple for 40 years! This massive antique shop is 3 stories of curated goods inside a 24,000-square-foot warehouse building from the 1920s.
Railroad Station also houses Shaver’s Book Store on the second floor and a variety of local artist goods throughout the building. You’ll find yourself getting lost (literally) combing through the thousands of items here.
- Where: 315 Jefferson St N, Huntsville, AL 35801
- When: Mon-Sat, 10 AM-5 PM; Sun, 1-5 PM
- Instagram | Facebook
Vertical House / Ida Mae
Run by a husband and wife team, Vertical House has been a Lowe Mill staple for years. Though records and music are their main trade, if you’re looking for some style to go with your tunes they have a small vintage clothing section in the back named Ida Mae.
Vertical House is very involved with the local music scene. They regularly host events for local bands, have a section of music from Huntsville natives, and sponsor a huge annual retro street fair at The Orion called Records and Retro.
If you’re looking to pick up a new hobby or just want some cool retro memorabilia this place is worth checking out.
- Where: 2211 Seminole Dr SW, Huntsville, AL 35805
- When: Wed-Sat, 12-6 PM
- Instagram | Facebook | Website
Preservation Company
Opened in 2018, Preservation Company is a store unlike any other. Selling antique and reclaimed home goods, furniture, gifts and decor, you’ll find things here you never knew you needed.
If you’re looking to upgrade your home with some new vintage style this is where you’ll find it. There’s an enormous selection of old reclaimed and restored doors and windows, cast iron fixtures for everything, and a real preserved tree in the middle of the showroom on the second floor. Don’t ask me how they got it there.
- Where: 1214 Meridian St N A, Huntsville, AL 35801
- When: Tue-Sat, 9 AM-5 PM
- Instagram | Facebook | Website
Firehouse Antiques and Collectables
The largest antique mall in the Tennessee Valley, Firehouse houses more than 40,000 square feet of antique goods, collectibles, and furniture curated by dozens of vendors.
Their stock is always changing and worth taking a look at. There’s currently a bright pink firetruck outside the store, so they’re easy to recognize from the Parkway.
- Where: 10095 Memorial Pkwy SW, Huntsville, AL 35803
- When: Wed-Mon, 9 AM-5 PM
- Facebook | Website
Southerland’s Photo
Southerland’s is a family-owned and operated camera and photo store that’s called Huntsville home since 1963. Southerland’s offers a variety of services including photo printing, scanning, and restoration, so if you want to get grandma’s old film slides digitized, this is the place.
They also have a large selection of new and vintage cameras and equipment. The staff is friendly and knows their stuff, so if you’re looking to get into film photography this is a great place to go.
- Where: 2357 Whitesburg Dr. Suite F, Huntsville, AL 35801
- When: Mon-Fri, 9 AM-5:30 PM; Sat, 9 AM-1 PM
- Instagram | Facebook | Website
Booklegger Used Books
Located on the corner of Holmes and Jordan, just around the corner from UAH, Booklegger Used Books offers a great selection of reading materials.
They sell both vintage and new books and comics with floor-to-ceiling shelves of every genre you could want. This is a great place to check out if you’re looking for something new to read or just like browsing old books.
- Where: 4001 Holmes Ave NW, Huntsville, AL 35816
- When: Tue-Sat, 10 AM-5 PM
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