Antique Treasure Hunting Up North

What’s popular, pro tips, and more from antique store owners

By Molly Cox | Aug. 9, 2025

Whether you long for the nostalgia for days gone by, you’re increasing your eco-consciousness, or you’re seeking the thrill of hunting hidden treasure, antique shopping is becoming more popular than ever.

The biggest draw is finding high quality items at lower prices, as antique furniture and homegoods are often more durable and better made than comparably priced new pieces. From an aesthetic perspective, vintage art makes your home stand out, and one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces are perfect gifts for loved ones. If you’re ready to go looking for hidden gems, northern Michigan has an impressive selection of antique stores to visit, and we spoke with three of them below.

Wilson Antiques

Downtown location: 123 S Union St, Traverse City
East Bay location: 5600 US-31, Williamsburg

Wilson Antiques has a unique place in the history of downtown Traverse City. The store occupies a 20,000-square-foot, four-story building with over 40 dealers. It is owned and operated by a husband and wife team Holly and Peter Dalley.

“Our building was built in the late 1800s and was Wilson’s Furniture store from 1914-1989. It’s funny because we could be selling antique furniture now that was purchased here new in the early to mid 1900s,” jokes Holly. “We also sell a large assortment of general line antiques like furniture, primitives, glassware, jewelry, pottery, and advertising materials.”

Holly wants customers to know that it’s important to take your time when shopping in a place like Wilson Antiques. “There are so many treasures to find here! It can take a whole day to go through every booth in our store and it’s worth every minute,” she says.

The Dalleys say their niche focus is in buying and selling precious metals like rare coins and jewelry, and they operate Bay West Precious Metals Exchange from within Wilson Antiques.

“We’ve been in the precious metals business since 1980 when we worked side by side with my dad at the Silver Exchange on Front Street. We became interested in antiques when my dad sublet/shared our building with the Klop Shop Antiques.”

What’s flying off the shelves right now?

“Things that are selling well right now are vintage clothing, 1980’s and ’90’s electronics and games, uranium glass, old advertising, jewelry, fishing lures, decoys, skeleton keys, toys, banks, Star Wars items, cast iron pans, lamps and lighting, old license plates, old cameras and midcentury items,” Holly tells us.

Rolling Hills Antiques

5085 Barney Rd, Traverse City

Owners Glen and Diane Lundin began Rolling Hills Antiques over two decades ago, and the whole family contributes to the business. The couple’s two daughters are involved in the store, while Diane does appraisals and Glen has a workshop in the basement (formerly occupied by cows) where he restores furniture.

“The antique store, and our home, are located in a barn which was the original Barney farm barn built in 1870. The previous owners started selling antiques out of the barn in the late 1960s,” says Diane, referring to the former Devonshire Antiques.

When it comes to making the most of an antique store visit, Diane feels that the shopping experience is very personal.

“Most of our customers have a passion for finding that ‘just right thing’ that is going to complete a look for them, or be appreciated by a loved one as a gift, or function as an item that they really need—like that dry sink that became the perfect vanity for a vessel sink in a bathroom they are remodeling.”

The Lundins are inspired by the rich history of high-quality furniture production—think Grand Rapids, Zeeland, the Cranbrook Institute, etc.—which fuels the bulk of their shop.

“We specialize primarily in furniture. We like to focus on furniture from the 18th to early 20th century, but also have a midcentury and modern room that our daughter helps us with. Our daughter is a designer [with Baile Home Interiors] and she pulls from the inventory at times for her projects and also sells directly from the store. Glen also has sold custom made tables,” Diane explains.

Earlier, we mentioned the value of antique pieces, both in terms of a more affordable price point and their made-to-last nature that (tragically) seems to go by the wayside in the 21st century world of particle board and allen wrenches. Diane tells us there are three things that contribute to the value of a piece: “how rare it is, what condition it is in, and who made it. So if you feel that you have a good handle on all three, you can often come up with an accurate assessment of how much it is worth.”

In addition to the ever-popular furniture items, Diane says that “pie safes, chests of drawers, and bedside tables/stands are all popular right now. Also, people appreciate the eclectic feel of mixing modern with old.”

Elk Rapids Antiques

914 US Route 31, Elk Rapids

Elk Rapids Antiques is a traditional antique boutique going into its fifth year of business. The owner, Karen Gardner, has been selling antiques both part time and full time for 40 years.

The shop specializes in American primitives and European art and antiques, but you can find a bit of everything in their 3,000-square-foot, tidy space. Their mission is to “provide customers with a handpicked shopping experience boasting antiques that are not just pieces of furniture or decorative items, but charms of the old world—each with a unique story.”

Currently, Gardner says “oil painting and small, decorative objects are the most in-demand items” for her customers.

Gardner’s advice for antique shoppers out there is to simply “buy what you like.” Oh, and, “Shop in the winter for better deals when businesses are slower and to avoid the crowds.”