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Whether antiquing is your hobby, business or a new adventure, a solid plan with a list of great places to find the goods is essential. Head down memory lane to discover unexpected antiques, unique vintage pieces and items that stir up nostalgia from days gone by at locally owned shops and events across the Rockford region.
Pro Tip: Research the places you’ll visit ahead of time and once you’re there ask lots of questions to learn where the items came from. You want to be sure your haul is just right for you!
Downtown Rockford
Salvaged by Sonya | 510 E. State St., downtown Rockford, IL
This upscale resale shop offers larger home decor items and furniture, along with authentic accessories and seasonal goods. They also host a number of offsite estate sales with great deals.
Smiley’s Vintage | 120 N. Madison St., downtown Rockford, IL
A one-stop-shop for curated vintage clothing, known for its fun and era-focused pieces. They also partner with other local businesses so you can catch them at various events around town.
S’Mores Collectibles and Vintage | 328 E. State St., downtown Rockford, IL
“So tell me what you want, what you really, really want”…. 90’s fashion and collectibles, of course! This specialty shop is a must-visit for nostalgia enthusiasts. If you want to jump on the 90’s trends, then definitely stop by S’Mores to pick up some goodies that are “all that and a bag of chips.” ;)
Urban Farmgirl | 716 N. Madison St., Rockford, IL
The owner of Urban Farmgirl started out with her own vendor booth in a suburban Chicago flea market. This is a charming shop curated with vintage goods and pretty finds, perfect for unique decor pieces.
Rockford, IL
East State Antique Mall | 5411 E. State St., Rockford, IL
If you’re more of an avid antiquer and have the experience to know the history behind various older items, you’ll definitely want to check out this mall and consignment store. With over 90 dealers, this mall specializes in vintage, English antiques, specialty jewelry, and more.
Quaint | 1639 N. Alpine Rd. (Edgebrook), Rockford, IL
Just as the name says, this charming shop welcomes visitors with its rustic facade and inviting atmosphere. Inside, shelves are adorned with handmade crafts and locally sourced treasures creating a nostalgic haven for shoppers seeking unique finds.
Proper on State | 109 N Show Pl Dr Suite 125, Rockford, IL
A quaint boutique offering a mix of one-of-a-kind vintage items and eclectic pieces. A great place to find a lot of unique gift ideas under one roof.
Loves Park, IL
Hidden Treasures Mall & Antiques | 6329 N. 2nd St., Loves Park, IL
This mall touts a 37,500 square foot showroom filled with unique collectibles, retro items, crafts, vinyl records and vintage furniture. Shop at over 250 different vendors that are always providing an ever-changing inventory.
Pecatonica, IL
Hack’s Auction Antique Center | 400 W. 3rd St. Pecatonica, IL
This full-service auction and real estate service offers auctions of all types: Estate, Farm, Business, Specialty Auctions--Toys, Firearms, Coins, Antique Collections, Equipment--and more! Hack's offers a full line of Real Estate services: Auction & Private Listing, Appraisals and more. Auctions are conducted on-site.
South Beloit, IL
Angela’s Attic Antiques & Collectibles | 1020 Gardner St., South Beloit, IL
A historic factory converted into five large buildings filled with floor to ceiling Victorian to modern era antiques and collectibles.
Best of Beloit Vintage Mall | 1019 Gardner St., South Beloit, IL 61080
This vintage mall is a 20,000 square foot vintage paradise with over 144 vendors!
Helsell’s Antiques and Collectibles | 1302 Gardner St., South Beloit, IL
This antique mall is filled with over 30 vendors selling an array of goodies and is South Beloit’s go-to spot for shopping unique inventory that changes daily.
Pro Tip: When visiting a large-scale, indoor antique/vintage mall, be prepared to leave ample time in your agenda to hone in on what you might be looking for or keep an open mind to finding things you didn’t know you wanted.
Rockton, IL
Pick-A-Dilly Antiques | 120 W. Main St., Rockton, IL
Inside the historic Hopkins building, this cozy store features a rotating inventory of vintage, primitive, and handmade items.
Frosted Farmhouse | 112 Hawick Street Rockton, IL
Frosted Farmhouse is home to over 20 vendors carrying vintage items, antiques, and furniture.
Plan a trip to the Rockford region during these special event dates:
Pec Thing is a flea market in the Midwest held during spring and fall at the Winnebago County Fairgrounds. It’s an outdoor + indoor experience featuring over 500 vendors on 40-acres. The lively atmosphere, knowledgeable sellers and eclectic mix of items is reason to put this event on your bucket list each year.
The Vintage Shop Hop is a biannual event held in the Rockford region, and various locations across northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. There are over 400 participating antique stores, boutiques, and shops to support on this multi-day adventure. It's a celebration of all things vintage, with lots of fun to be had for collectors, treasure hunters and anyone with an appreciation for the past.
Pro Tip: You can work up a serious appetite while on the hunt for antiques. We highly recommend eating and drinking locally whenever you’re in town. There are exceptional local restaurants, bakeries, pubs, coffee shops and more. Whether it’s fine dining that you’re into or more of a fast and casual experience you’ll definitely find what you’re looking for.
Check out other listings and pages on the gorockford.com website to learn about tips, recommendations, and featured businesses to make the most of your time here in the Rockford region. We hope to see you soon!
Photo Credit:
Pec Thing/Credit: Winnebago County Fairgrounds, Salvaged by Sonya, Urban Farmgirl/Credit: W.S. Mercantile, East State Antique Mall, Proper on State, Quaint, Angela’s Attic, Pick-a-dilly, Pec Thing/Credit: @beautyfunwithdionna
