There was antiquing, there was crafting, there were overpowering tiki drinks, and there was vintage Leonardo diCaprio on DVD. Yes, after nearly two years of working together, Kate and I finally met in person. We have some projects up our sleeves, so last week I flew from Massachusetts to Milwaukee to spend a few days with Katiedoodle at the Retro Ranch. Kate and her husband Jim were wonderful hosts. High on our have-some-fun-too agenda: A trip to check out the Antiques on Second antiques mall. The store was FABULOUS — 200 dealers on three floors covering 37,000 s.f. We closed the joint down.
Antiques on Second antiques mall, Milwaukee
Antiques on Second is quite the destination — well organized, well staffed, full of old stuff, including lots of 1950s, 60s and 70s, my favorites. Definitely a place to hit if you are in or near Milwaukee and in the mood for treasure hunting. Kate and I looked at everything — we were well matched as shopping partners — and it took us almost the entire day to go through this place, I am not kidding! The store opens at 10 a.m. We arrived around 10:30 a.m. We broke for lunch at 12:30, were back within an hour, and really, still were not quite through at 5 p.m., closing time.
Above: This set of vintage Ransburg kitchen canisters looked to be in amazing shape. I am pretty sure that there are many readers here who would love to acquire these beauties. I could design an entire kitchen around them!
Above: I really should have snapped up this little Raymor bull. I was not really in the buying mood — mostly because I did not want to schlep breakable stuff back home with me.
Above: I still have not shaken off my Kitschmas madness. There was a good stash of vintage Christmas decor, at reasonable prices, up on the third floor.
Above: There were a pair of these Miller Studios chalkware swans for $19 total. They were in great shape.
Above: A lovely little coffee table with Brasilia-esque lines. Overall, I thought the prices were good at Antiques on Second.
Above: Oh my goodness, look at those little sand owls. Or what do you actually call this craft? I am not sure. This piece of art was in terrific shape, too. Not dirty at all.
Oh, it came to me: Gravel art. There is a second, coordinating piece in the slide show below – wonderful!
Above: Antiques on Second has three stories of dealers. It is chock ablock with treasures. Your head will be spinning. You cannot even focus after a point. I looked up and saw this TV light — I love the piece of glass behind the deer — this piece must look interesting, lit up.
Above: Jewelled Christmas ornies. I should have bought these, drats!
Above: New Old Stock kitchen serving tools — complete with hanging rack and in original box. As I recall, this was $29.
Above: Falalalalala, papier mache angels.
…. And nuns. 🙂
Above: These are anodized aluminum ice tongs with advertising messages.
Above: Vintage Wisconsinia. Too sweet!
Above: Throughout the store, pairs of lamps could be had for $50-$100, singles, for less.
Above: Hoo wouldn’t love this place, that’s what I want to know.
Above: Small vintage planters in lovely colors.
What catches my eye? The sweet, the odd, but especially, the colorful, kitschy and outrageous!
Slide show of vintage finds from Antiques on Second
Tip to using slide show: Click on any image, it will enlarge, use arrows below image to move backward or forward; you can start at any image.
Kersten says
Oh, you two! What fun! That tiny tiki mug cracks me UP!
pam kueber says
That’s as much as I can drink without getting a hangover!
Candace says
Great photos Pam & Kate! You two look like you had a fun time, thanks for sharing. I love the Owls Gravel Art Panel.
Diane in CO says
Hope one of you bought that Abominable Snowman coat, LOL. It was probably cold enough in Milwaukee to actually use it!
It’s so great you two finally have met!!! Great post.
Stacia says
Although I can’t promise that level (3 levels!) of retro goodness around here, either of you are welcome to stay with me if you ever find yourself in the middle of Missouri. And you don’t even have to hire me! 🙂
pam kueber says
ahhhh, thank you! One day soon I need to make a pilgrimage to St. Louis — that’s THE BEST PLACE for the mid mod!
Katie Ro says
Those owls! Do you remember about how big and how much and where? (I know, so many questions) Antiques on 2nd is a favorite of mine, and glad you got to visit. So awesome to learn that Kate is a fellow Milwaukeean! I love finding like-minded retro ladies around here.
Roundhouse Sarah says
So glad you two finally got the chance to meet in person! I’m sure y’all had lots of fun. I would have left the store arms loaded, so many great finds.
Oh and Happy Mardi Gras everybody! Laissez les bon temps roulez!
Anne-Marie says
This place looks AMAZING!!!! Good thing it is not in CO-I would spend a lot of $ there. Thanks for the inspiring pictures!!!
lynda davis says
Great story! So glad you had fun. You will have such fun memories someday. Bargain shopping with great friends are some of my fondest memories.
Gracie Manasco says
Oh I want the nuns soooo bad!!!!!!!!
chutti says
Jumping on the Milwaukee Antique love fest bandwagon!
I miss my time in ‘Sconsin; the people were great, and the antiquing was superb! Had a great time at Antiques on Second about 4 yrs ago.
Got hubby a swell beach ensemble-terry shorts and camp shirt for very little.
Best part was when my phone rang, and the proprietor of our shop figured out I was from California. And close to where he grew up….which was locally famous for a ‘funny farm’ which all they kids sang about in a not too nice jingle. He couldn’t believe it when I started in on the words to “i.M.O.L.A” and we had to call his sister back home and sing it to her.
Good times, always in Milwaukee.
love, love that place!