Favorite haunts for antiquing - Best of the West - Column

Sunset, Nov, 1994 by Bill Crosby

With apologies to non-Californians, most of the antiques enclaves that readers recommended are in the Golden State. Here's the rundown on five California finds, north to south, plus one a few miles west of Denver.

"The place to shop for antiques is, of course, Nevada City," said Susan Totels, of the nearby Gold Country town of Grass Valley. "Along with the antiques stores, there are many other stores for anyone who wants to decorate with antiques or reproductions." For fellow antiques buffs, Totels recommends her four favorites, La Cache (916/265-8104) on Broad Street, and the Assay Office (265-8126), Shaws (265-2668), and Main Street Antiques (265-3108), all on Main.

Bettie Bartholomew, of Los Alamitos, California, took a liking to "the delightful and quaint town" of Folsom, also in the Gold Country. Some 300 antiques shops and other stores pack both sides of Sutter Street, the main thoroughfare in old town Folsom.

Jeanne Wheaton, of Hanford, in the southern part of the Central Valley, tipped us off to a store called Good Goods in Visalia: "It's a fantastic place. They've taken old historic buildings and moved them onto country acreage, renovated them, and made them into incredible antiques showrooms." It also sounds like getting there is half the fun: "Take State Highway 198 east off State 99, then take the Farmersville exit to cross over 198 and go east on Mineral King Avenue. Turn left on County Road 168, go about 1 1/2 miles, and turn right on the road made from almond shells next to a Victorian house; there's no store sign."

California readers Elsie Pierpoint of Garden Grove and Bob Hayes, of Dana Point, both recommended stores along Glassel Street in downtown Orange. Hayes narrowed the choices down to a few favorites when he bought his circa 1929 fixer-upper. "I wanted anything but what I call the 'clone home' look that is so prevalent in my area. For two years, I combed through many, many antiques, consignment, and thrift stores looking for pieces that would enhance its early-California look and feel." At the top of his list is Muff's Antiques (714/997-0243), at 135 S. Glassel, which carries parts for old light fixtures, old doorknobs, drawer pulls, hinges, and plumbing fixtures.

Touting her own town, Therese Lewis said, "Laguna Beach is laden with wonderful antiques stores, but my favorites are the consignment stores; they're great for budget-conscious treasure hunters like us." Among her favorites is the Great Exchange Consignment Company, 31582 South Coast Highway, (714) 499-4805.

From Jefferson City, Missouri, Frank Masters wrote to nominate Georgetown, Colorado, for its many and varied antiques shops, craft shops, contemporary furnishings shops, and mingling of architectural styles. "lt's a great place to spend a day. One can get ideas or get materials."