Photo Courtesy VisitDesoto.com
I like to do my fair share of antiquing. It’s all about finding that perfect item – overlooked by everyone else (maybe even the shop owner) – but you know it’s true worth and, by golly, you are buying it and bringing it home with you!
Fortunately, there is a place in southwest Florida where you may just uncover that forgotten Eames chair or a dusty Tiffany lamp (hey, you never know!).
The place is Arcadia – a small town about an hour east of Sarasota. More than a destination for antiquing, with its historic buildings, picturesque West Oak Street, and old-Florida charm, the experience is certainly worth a daytrip. Twenty antique stores, restaurants and specialty shops line the main boulevard where you can easily stroll from shop to shop, stopping for a hearty sandwich or ice cream when you need a little pick-me-up.
Held the fourth Saturday of every month, dealers and collectors from all over Florida converge to display their wares in the Arcadia Antique Fair. The next fair will be held Jan 25.
Several recommendations:
- If you make it to the fair, bring cash, arrive early (it gets going at 8:00am) and wear a hat and sunscreen!
- Be sure to check out the Arcadia Opera House Antique Shops. One step into the old grand opera house and you’ll wonder why Hollywood hasn’t come calling.
- Stop for lunch at the Oak Street Deli for a delicious sandwich, soup, or salad.
- If pottery is your thing, a visit to J & R Antiques is a must.
- To reach Arcadia: Head east from Sarasota County on State Road 72. From Manatee County, take State Road 70. From Charlotte County, go north on Highway 35.
- To plan your trip, check out http://www.visitdesoto.com/.
Have you been to Arcadia? Offer your own recommendations in the comments below!