As promised, this post is going to be a review of my experiences antiquing through the Midwest. There is really no better place to do it in my opinion..the treasures and the prices are usually really good [compared to Southern California]. I know I've mentioned this before, but if I ever drive across country again I will absolutely plan it so that I have more money, space, and time to explore a little more. I cannot begin to count all the little shops I passed up along the way but this will be a review of the ones that I did manage to make it to! (Click on the images to view them larger.)
Ellsworth Antique Mall 
I mentioned it before but this is my favorite antique shop ever. I've only been a few times but every visit has been thoroughly enjoyable. When you first walk in on the left hand side is a coffee bar and deli bar. The walls are covered in old Coca Cola ads and other nostalgic images. The prices are comparable to Starbucks but the taste even better (I'm pretty sure that whipped cream was real!). There really is no rhyme or reason to the layout of this mall. Part of the area downstairs is also being used for current commercial items. I mostly skipped that part since it wasn't what I was there for. You can find even more goodness upstairs, just be prepared to hit a wall of heat! ;) Don't let it deter you because I always find even more to love about the items upstairs. The prices at this antique mall cannot be beat. Period. Best deals I came across the entire trip and well worth any detour you'll have to take to get there. There is a great piece with more information about the shop, including address and phone number on the Kansas Prairie Blog.
Yesterday's Rose Antique Mall
This antique shop is located in Abilene, Kansas. I stopped by on my way from Ellsworth to Topeka. It's located behind the Dollar General and McDonalds so you'll need to pay attention to the signs to get there because you cannot see it from the highway. Of all the malls I went to, this one had the most organized booths. I'm not sure if they're more picky about what they allow to be set up but I *really* appreciated the organization. For one, it's much more fun to step into a booth with a clear and distinct theme. I love seeing collections and getting ideas about how to display a collection and these booths we're filled with inspiration. I didn't end up purchasing anything at this shop but it was definitely worth the shout out and I'd stop by again if I was ever passing through!
Wheatland Antique Mall
This was the first of two antique shops Kellee and I visited in Topeka. I found something to take home with me within the first 2 minutes of being there! Wheatland Antique Mall was pretty large- taking up two store fronts. One side was filled with more domestic antique and vintage items and the other had furniture. In the back of the furniture side were a lot of Western items which were incredible to look at. I thought the prices at this shop were very reasonable.
Pastense
This was the second antique shop we went to in Topeka. (Find their contact information here.) I love quaint little shops like this one and it looks like the owner takes her time selecting and displaying items. Everything was distinctively organized. I loved this little vanity she had near the cashwrap of old mirrors and perfume bottles - so pretty. She also had a great selection of women's clothing and shoes but everything was itty bitty. AKA in my dreams. ;) Kellee bought a beautiful green swing coat. It was pretty funny because we ran into a lady we'd run into just before at the other antique shop and she was great to watch! She let me take this photo of her in a coat she ended up buying. :)
Midway Expo & Antique Mall
The Midway Expo & Antique Mall was so massive I didn't dare pass it by. I think it's something like 13,000 sq ft. It's divided up into booths and quite a few of them were actually empty. This is definitely one of those antique malls where you have to wade through the junk to find the treasure. A lot of the booths sold collections, not neccessarily vintage or antique. For example, there was a Hot Wheels booth, which sort of didn't make sense to me to be honest. However, there were a lot of very cool collections worth noting as well. I loved the old license plates and the baby/nursery booths a lot! I am thrilled with what I ended up purchasing here.. it was a little spendy but I'm very pleased. (I'll share that in the next post).
Veranda Antique Mall
The last antique mall I visited was Veranda Antique Mall in Columbia, MO. It was a huge mall and the items were absolutely to die for. They have lockers for your purse as you walk in, which made a lot of sense when I got a glimpse at their prices. This was, by far, the most expensive shop I perused and way out of my price range. Still, I really enjoyed looking around - it really was incredible! My only other issue was that I wish it was just a little better lit. I don't have poor eyesight by any means but it felt like I was indoors with sunglasses on. It was at this mall that I absolutely FELL IN LOVE!!! With a 1920's wedding dress. It was the stuff dreams are made of. *swoon* It was only $85 but an $85 I didn't have, so very sadly and slowly I walked away. If however, you're feeling at all generous, their number is (573) 814-360 and if you buy me this dress I swear I'll consider marrying you. ;)
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