In case you haven’t noticed, Northern Nevada has an abundance of antique stores. Really, there’s a ton. I guess any place that’s been around for 150-plus years is going to have places (that aren’t museums) where all the history collects. History from here, history from all over the world that happened to end up here, you name it! And if you’re a natural collector like me, you’re constantly reading stories or watching movies that inspire you to go out and find the most interesting, mysterious artifact. And it might just be somewhere in a Northern Nevada antique shop. And on top of antiques, there’s no shortage of vintage clothing hiding on a rack somewhere in Carson City. It always makes me curious; what kind of life did this jacket or sweater have before it ended up here? One thing’s for sure — it’s truly one of a kind by now.
So whether you’re an Indiana Jones or you’re just out to find your own distinct style, check these out, some of the brightest antique and vintage stores you’ll find in Carson City and Carson Valley.
The air hangs heavy in the massive Hanifin’s Art & Antiques in Downtown Carson City, and it’s not the dust. It’s the rows upon rows of jaw-dropping antique furniture, paintings and memorabilia from yesteryear practically dripping with decades of history. Look closer to notice most of the furniture is preserved English and French pieces, which could certainly bring some European elegance to your home collection. There are also vintage paintings, long-forgotten advertisements from the 1950s and 60s and collector’s items. I feel like the grandfather clocks alone carry a life of their own!
Definitely a shopping staple on Carson Street is A to Zen. As much as I’ve hyped up the shop’s weekly open mic night, the store itself is well worth an exploration. A to Zen is a manifestation of Carson City’s eclectic character with stacks of pre-loved books, classic vinyl, inexpensive musical instruments and so many furniture pieces that would be at home in any eccentric collector’s study. Plus, A to Zen is full of worn-in clothing and costumes with completely one-of-a-kind designs. Ever want to build a trendy, vintage wardrobe from scratch? A to Zen makes it a possibility.
Photo: A to Zen Facebook
If A to Zen skews younger and more musical, Due Sorella, located in a west-side home in Downtown Carson City, is like its trendy, wine-loving aunt. Due Sorella’s antique furniture and decorations come straight out of the rustic countryside home of your dreams. Perhaps it’s time to give your own home or garden an antique flourish, and Due Sorella should be your first stop. The decor ranges from wooden greeting signs to French-inspired dining sets to antiques repurposed into new and unique art. Stop in for a visit, though you may have to remind yourself that you can’t just live in the store!
Photo: Due Sorella Facebook
I like recommending Carson Valley’s Antiques Plus not just because of its mind-blowing assortment of decades-old ceramic plates, glassware, bedroom sets and art, but also because it’s located in the Dake House just south of Genoa. The Dake House is infamous in Carson Valley as one of our area’s most haunted historic homes. And while it may be an exciting adventure to check out the house during one of its “ghost tours,” I implore you to head south of Carson City during the daytime to wander the house just to look through its incredibly detailed antique collection, especially its coins, keys and other small pieces. Whether the house is haunted or not, the objects in it are filled with lifetimes of history waiting to be uncovered.
Easily the largest of them all (and perhaps the largest antique mall in all of Northern Nevada, period) is Cheshire Antiques.
Cheshire covers 12,000 square feet of space throughout two stories of a 19th-century building right in the heart of Downtown Gardnerville. From photography to paintings, early 1900s kitchenware to authentic antique jewelry, Cheshire has just about everything you could ever want to find. Still looking for that one missing collector’s item or perfect artifact? It might just be here, though I hope you enjoy the hunt!
Photo: Cheshire Antiques Facebook
If visiting these few places doesn’t quite satisfy, there’s so much more where they came from. That’s what happens when you live in a place surrounded by so much history — the area’s treasures are endless.
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About the Author Bryan Akerley
Bryan was born and raised in Northern Nevada and is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno. When he’s not writing, he’s keeping up with pop culture as a lover of movies, TV, music and books or out exploring the area through its restaurants, bars and nightlife. Then he’ll unwind by playing the drums or piano or spending time with his corgi, Teddy. 
