10 Antique Malls : Shopping Centers Concentrate on Heirlooms While Providing Some Old-Fashioned Fun

The allure of antiques is undeniable, especially as shoppers seek unusual gifts for the approaching holiday season.

Some people buy antiques because they evoke memories of ages past. Others buy because they feel antiques are invested with grace and style that are hard to find in contemporary furniture. Still others buy because, in the midst of modern mass production, they desire the unique.

Whatever your reason for being drawn to antiques, a feast awaits you at giant antique malls sprinkled across Southern California.

With up to almost 200 stalls, each mall offers a concentrated shopping spree at a single site. A visit will probably last a minimum of an hour.

Although prices often are a fraction of what newly manufactured items would cost, not all visitors are bargain hunters. Many go to the malls for the thrill of searching for that special, one-of-a-kind heirloom buried among dusty remembrances of the past.

Antiques, by purist definition, are 100 or more years old. Some of the merchandise at the malls fall into the restrike or reproduction category, which means they are newly manufactured replicas of antiques. Pieces generally are labeled as antique or reproduction; on request, staff members will categorize any unlabeled item for you.

Here’s a sampler of Southern California malls, along with items that were recently available. (Some merchandise may no longer be offered.) These and many other malls are mentioned in free newspapers available at some of the businesses listed here.

Abner’s Yellow Barn, 16710 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, (818) 785-4303. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; more than 25 dealers.

No two dealers offer similar merchandise in this building, once a station on Henry Huntington’s Pacific Electric Red Car Trolley line. One specializes in Victorian bathroom fixtures, including an oak pull-chain toilet set in mint condition for $850. Limited-edition Audubon prints (museum mounted) cost $165. Among the Coca-Cola memorabilia is a red ice box for $795. A large selection of white wicker furniture, such as a $275 hooded basinet with stand, is for sale. Abner’s hosts several special events yearly, including Old Timer’s Day in May, which features an antique-car rally, a show of antiques and such entertainment as a ragtime band.

Antique Emporium, 1931 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, (714) 642-8990. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; 50 dealers.

There is always a good selection of furniture here, ranging from French armoires with intricate inlaid wood to dining room sets. A hand-carved oak bookcase with leaded-glass doors sells for $800. An 1880 French dining table and 10 chairs with tapestry seats costs $2,795. A $295 wooden kitchen wall clock (circa 1890) is one of many clocks for sale near the entrance. Jewelry, silver tableware and china tea sets are among the other items available. A few newly manufactured antique-style pieces are among original antiques selection.

4th and K Mall, 400 K St., San Diego, (619) 235-6255. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m daily.

King Richard’s Antique Mall, 12301 Whittier Blvd., Whittier, (213) 698-5974. Open Wednesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturdays, Mondays and Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 5 p.m.; 187 dealers.

This mall fills three floors of a 1903 citrus packing house, has an excellent selection of furniture and small items, up to 80% in the antique category, said manager Fran Rebeley. A three-piece bedroom set (twin bed headboard, marble-top nightstand and chair) with inlaid floral designs costs $1,359. Square oak tables with carved legs and matching chairs run $595 each. Gumball and nut vending machines from the early 1900s are priced from $69 to $285.

Downstairs, Just for Fun Antiques carries Wurlitzer juke boxes, popcorn machines, vintage model trains and more.

Memory Lanes Antique Mall, 24251 Frampton Ave., Harbor City, (213) 530-8180. Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 8 p.m.; 154 dealers.

The many old weaving spools here for less than $10 make great candlestick holders; hand-dipped candles cost $1.60 to $2.25 a pair. Seventy-five dollars will bring you a white crocheted twin bedspread with pink flowers or an exquisite Victorian-lace collar.

A $425 14-karat gold ring with 11 sapphires is among the jewelry available, while an 1895 oak office swivel chair ($120) is one of many oak pieces for sale.

Reproduction Victorian Christmas cards and ornaments are toward the back of the mall.

Staff member Jeanne Keck said most of Memory Lanes’ pieces are in the collectible category--50 or more years old.

The Old Barn, 31792 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, (714) 493-9144. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 65 dealers.

Antiques range from conversation pieces, such as a $195 four-feet-high dictionary stand of cast iron and wood or an early hand-cranked washing machine for $295. A silver-and-copper candle snuffer with tray sells for $195. Fruit-crate and cigar-box labels suitable for framing go for $2 and up, while 1800s prints and newspapers illustrated with engravings run about $5. Civil War artifacts include a rare rosewood traveling inkwell for $125 and letters starting at $10.

Other antique stores and the San Juan Capistrano Mission are a minute’s walk away. About 30% are newly manufactured antique-style pieces.

Orange Circle Antique Mall, 118 S. Glassell St. (at Chapman Avenue), Orange, (714) 538-8160. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays; noon to 5 p.m. Sundays; 85 dealers.

This two-story mall carries some furniture, but is better for smaller items. Owner Katy Drumm estimates only 5% of the items are reproductions.

Downstairs, an extensive selection of hand-embroidered pillow cases and tablecloths, some with crocheted trim, starts at $10. Rhinestone necklaces and other jewelry for $15 and up are scattered throughout the stalls. Turn-of-the-century fashion prints go for $18, while old wall phones cost $95.

Other antique stores and early 1900s buildings surround Orange Circle Antique Mall, which lies at the heart of Orange’s historic district.

Pasadena Antique Center, 480 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, (818) 449-7706. Open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 60 dealers.

This two-story mall, spanning 25,000 square feet, is notable for its extensive selection of quality furniture, probably 90% of which falls in the antique category.

The many dining sets available include a $2,300 polished mahogany table with six matching chairs. A large, beveled mirror with hand-carved gilt frame sells for $495.

Head toward the back for refinished oak tables with matching sideboards and chairs. Just inside the front door is a room filled with fine Oriental pieces.

Upstairs, a large selection of old telephones costs from $65 for a 1930s desk model to $450 for a double-box wooden wall phone.

Sleepy Hollow Antique Mall, 5689 Paramount Blvd., Long Beach, (213) 634-8370. Open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; more than 90 dealers.

Among its collectibles, Sleepy Hollow always has five or six early phonograph machines (starting at $300) that work perfectly and hundreds of 78-rpm records to play on them. The records, which are in excellent condition, cost $2 and up. There are also Blue Amberol cylinder records for around $10 and packages of 25 old phonograph needles for $2.

At another stall, magnifying glasses with beautiful old sterling silver handles and new glasses go for $25 to $40. A good selection of Norman Rockwell plates is priced from $27 to $59, and there are several large wooden trunks for $75.

A Sleepy Hollow spokeswoman said dealers mark their own merchandise and a majority consists of old collectibles.

Unicorn Co. Arts & Antique Mall, 310 5th Ave., San Diego, (619) 232-1696. Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 5:30 p.m.; more than 40 dealers.

These two malls, designated historical sites by state and local commissions, are connected on several of the five floors. Climb to the top four floors for a wide selection of furniture, especially china cabinets and bookcases. Lawyers’ bookcases are available on the third floor for $375 to $775. A large butcher-block table goes for $350.

The many old typewriters on the second floor sell for $30 and up. (An interesting 1908 Oliver No. 5 typewriter, $90, has keys that strike in the middle from the sides.) On the same floor are pocket watches from $12.50 to $425.

Barbara Winton, manager of the 4th and K Mall, estimates about 20% of the merchandise falls into the new reproduction or restrike category; the remaining 80% are antiques and collectibles.

Westminster Abbey Antique Mall, 11751 Westminster Ave., Garden Grove, (714) 554-6103. Open Saturday through Monday and Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fridays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; more than 85 dealers.

Westminster Abbey offers a good mix of furniture and small items. While there are antiques, owner Paul Westbrook says Westminster Abbey offers more collectibles and pieces in the 25- to 50-years-old range.

A seven-piece mahogany bedroom set (circa 1950) in excellent condition sells for $1,795. A rare turn-of-the-century stove-top waffle iron costs $45, and a set of six pearl-handle butter knives is priced at $50.

Late 1800s and early 1900s American coins, including an 1882 penny and a 1927 Indian head nickel, go for $1 and up. A beautiful $4,500 John Broadwood English grand piano (circa 1860) stands in the front of the mall.