So, what is an antique anyway? And, what is a collectible? For antiques, it's a lot more than age. Antique vehicles might be 50 or even 100 years old, but my flip phone is an antique at just 10 years of age. And what about that iPhone you bought? Or the alarm clock?
Collectibles are different -- but not much. People collect everything. If you keep Halloween decorations long enough, they can turn into antiques in other people's eyes. Sports memorabilia are highly collectible, but are baseball cards from the 1950s antiques?
Grandma's kitchen or her jewelry box can yield both collectibles and antiques. Shops that cater to those interested in antiques might also cater to collectibles enthusiasts. Or they might not. It depends. And vice-versa. Anyway, here's a mix of locals for you to explore.
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Like an off-Broadway production, The Vintage Shoppe is off-Main in Clinton. It's located at 21 Leigh St. Tourists and locals alike find a wealth of "finds" here.
"There are eight dealers here," said Vesta Truempy. "We carry vintage pottery, porcelain, glass, art, linens, cameras, books, small furniture, and lots of vintage jewelry, including sterling."
Right now, The Vintage Shoppe is headquarters for vintage Halloween items. Vintage Christmas decorations will be filling the place soon.
"Old cameras are still hot," said Vesta. Browsers might find a Polaroid or a Speed Graphic Supermatic here. Or a stereopticon -- that's the double lens viewer with cards showing a three dimensional image. It was popular back in the 1800s.
Many jewelry items at The Vintage Shoppe include popular vintage sterling charms for bracelets. Wander through displays of restaurant and fine china, depression and other glass items, artworks and mirrors, at least a half dozen quilts, primitives, wooden signs and fence sections, porch tables, night stands, wicker and much more.
The Vintage Shoppe is open Thursday to Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Call 908-735-0404 and visit Facebook.com/TheVintageShoppeClinton. This shop is just over two years old.
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HappiNest Antiques is located at 406 Route 22 W (across from the Kings Supermarket) in Whitehouse Station. Here you'll find a treasure trove of antiques, vintage collectibles, and seasonal items.
"It's not your typical antiques store," said Maryann McKean. She opened on October 5, 2017, so this month she begins her second year here.
This browsing destination is filled with children's chairs and country sideboards, baker's tables and rugs, baskets and benches, crockery and chalkware, shelves and mirrors, and more vintage items than you might find elsewhere. How about an old hanging match safe?
"I like holiday things," said Maryann. Indeed. Right now, HappiNest is filled with Halloween items -- from scarecrows to pumpkin candles and decorations for the season.
Heading into the Christmas holidays, she is already bringing in seasonal items. You'll find vintage glass ornaments, garlands and feather trees, German chocolate molds, and more.
HappiNest is open Thursday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. For more information, call 908-823-4946 and visit HappiNestAntiques.com for many pictures of displayed items.
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Ken and Susie Nerger operate Ye Olde Antique & Curiosity Shop in Flemington. It's located at 139 Main St. And, then there's a warehouse at another location.
"We did estate sales for 22 years," said Ken. "And we opened here two years ago."
This shop reflects the couple's interests and experiences with antiques and vintage items. Here you'll find artifacts and antiques, curiosities and collectibles, heirlooms and historical items. Thousands of small things are here -- stamps, coins, watches, Stangl pottery. Also, musical instruments and amplifiers, hardware, doors, moldings, indoor and outdoor objects.
Browse through industrial and architectural objects, railroad and automotive stuff, folk and tramp art, lighting, primitives, art deco to mid-century vintage items, and more--dating from the 1600s and beyond.
Ken described a 2,000-pound stone horse trough. He said it was made 1,100 years ago by the Lenni-Lenape people. You'll need a truck to cart this back to your place.
This operation also handles estate sales. Retirees often want to downsize and move on. They make arrangements with Ken and Susie to handle disposition of items no longer wanted.
For more information, call 908-310-1995 or go to YeOldeAntiqueCuriosityShop.com or the Facebook page.
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Maxine Stadele runs Ladylike Antiques. She has been operating for over a decade in Flemington, and many will remember her shop from previous locations. Two years ago she moved to 152 Main St.
"I specialize in high quality items at a fair price," she told me. "My customers include many dealers who shop here -- from New York, Philadelphia and New Hope."
At Ladylike you'll find crystal, china, silver, oil paintings, Stangl pottery, and more. She offers lots of jewelry -- costume and sterling, including pins. Also, lots of toys and dolls.
"I did a movie set from this store," she said. "The producers for The Chaperone came in and bought everything." The Chaperone is a current film with Elizabeth McGovern, one of the stars in the British drama Downton Abbey.
Maxine buys everything she offers for sale -- she does not take consignments. Items typically run in the $200 to $400 range or more. But Ladylike has a clearance room where you might find the bargain you've been searching for.
To reach her, call 908-237-0399 or 908-672-0832. The store is open seven days, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Al Warr can be reached at 610-253-0432 or AlWarr16@gmail.com.