An antique store sells old objects chosen for their age, quality or collectibility. In the U.S., "antique" usually means at least 100 years old (the definition U.S. Customs uses), "vintage" roughly 20 years or more, and "collectible" anything people collect.
Antique, vintage, collectible
The 100-year rule comes from U.S. Customs, which lets antiques over 100 years old enter duty-free. Shops use the words more loosely: an "antique store" often sells plenty of 1950s–1980s vintage alongside true antiques, and a "vintage store" can mean clothing, furniture or both.
The kinds of shops you'll find
| Kind of shop | What it is | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Antique store | One owner, curated stock of antiques and vintage | 3,556 |
| Antique mall | Many dealers renting booths under one roof | 1,425 |
| Vintage clothing store | Clothing and accessories from past decades | 859 |
| Antique & estate jewelry store | Vintage, antique and estate jewelry | 556 |
| Vintage toy & collectibles store | Vintage and collectible toys | 410 |
| Flea market | Independent vendors, often outdoors and on weekends | 402 |
| Antique furniture store | Antique and vintage furniture | 284 |
| Thrift store | Donated secondhand goods, low prices | 269 |
| Collectibles shop | Collectibles of any age | 263 |
| Consignment shop | Sells items for their owners for a share of the price | 98 |
| Estate sale company | Runs sales of whole households | 67 |
| Architectural salvage yard | Doors, windows, mantels and reclaimed materials | 50 |
Counts are listings in the PickersGo directory, grouped by what each business is.
Antique store vs. antique mall
An antique store has one owner who buys and prices everything. An antique mall rents booths to many dealers under one roof; you pay at a central counter. Malls offer more variety and are good for a long browse, while single-owner shops are often more specialized and more consistent in quality.
Thrift, consignment and flea markets
Thrift stores sell donated goods, usually to fund a charity, so prices are low and finds are hit-and-miss. Consignment shops sell items on behalf of owners and share the price. Flea markets bring many independent sellers together, often outdoors and on weekends. All three are favorite hunting grounds for pickers.
Questions
How old does something have to be to be an antique?
In the U.S., generally 100 years, the threshold U.S. Customs uses. Vintage usually means 20 years or more.
What's the difference between an antique store and an antique mall?
A store has one owner; a mall rents space to many dealers and handles sales at one counter.
Is a thrift store an antique store?
No. Thrift stores sell donated secondhand goods of any age, though antiques do turn up.