Milwaukee antique stores

3 shops to check out in the Third Ward & Walker's Point

Adam and I love antiquing on a Sunday afternoon. If that makes us sound like old fuddy duddies, we accept the title gladly. When it comes to touring these shops in Milwaukee, it's not just about the prospect of taking home vintage Pyrex or a clock made from a ship's porthole (yep) — it's the shops themselves. Each offers something different: treasures as varied as the stores they live in.



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Riverview Antique Market, Third Ward

If you like antiquing for its enchanting nostalgia, you've got to visit Riverview Antique Market; this place casts a serious spell. The market's spacious aisles are sectioned off into booths, which are more like meticulously-planned vignettes. These inviting scenes are brimming with quality antiques, and the warmth of each booth is juxtaposed against a cool, airy warehouse space. Who knew an antique store could achieve such an urban-chic aesthetic?

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Antiques on Second, Walker's Point

What won't you find at Antiques on Second? This place is a labyrinth chock-full of of stuff. Cool stuff, bizarre stuff, valuable stuff, kitschy stuff — just stuff. You could spend hours exploring Antiques on Second's three levels, and trust me — there's still no way you could really take in everything. I feel like the place could use a concession stand in the middle of level two; I'm usually hungry and thirsty by then. While Antiques on Second can be overwhelming, it also gives the impression of having the most possibility — you truly never know what you'll find in its maze of goodies.

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Annex & Clinton Street Antiques

Less than two blocks from Antiques on Second, you'll find Annex and Clinton Street Antiques. These neighboring shops (not physically connected) are under the same ownership. Both are very small, but the antiques are beautifully displayed. While Antiques on Second takes a "more is more" approach to their products (which is super fun, don't get me wrong!), these stores seem to go for quality over quantity. You'll find wonderfully eclectic pieces at Annex and Clinton — and after the vastness of Antiques on Second, the smaller-scale experience is rather comforting.