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The Best Vintage Salvage and Antique Shop in Minnesota

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The good news is that I had found the best vintage salvage shop ever! It was a treasure trove of rust, dirt, and all-things-nostalgic.

The bad news is that I couldn’t lug everything home with me because it was in Minneapolis, Minnesota and I was there for a Duluth Trading Company modeling shoot (I’m from Maryland).

This awesome salvage show is called Art & Architecture and if you’re ever passing through Minnesota and love junk, antiques, and treasures, you’ve got to stop!

Remember I told you some time ago that I was one of nine winners in Duluth’s 2015 Model Search? Yes–I know…I’m shocked that my “mom gut” didn’t disqualify me. HA! But yep–I was one of the winners, and am now officially a Duluth model!

Anyhow, I squealed with delight when I saw this was one of our shot locations! Just watch this behind-the-scenes short clip (1:25 seconds) of one of the rooms in the store. We were like kids in a candy store!!

My makeup artist, Fatima, and I were taking a break and scoping out the goodies and we couldn’t believe the stuff we were finding. She was so funny! She kept saying, “I want allll this stuff.

How to Shop Salvage Shops

Before I share with you some tips on how to shop your next salvage shop (and before I gush about this amazing vintage shop), let me tell you about the other amazing sets on which we shot!

You see, Duluth Trading actually uses real women in their catalog. They find women who are tough-as-nails farmers, outdoor enthusiasts, DIYers…(me!)… and they shoot us in locations that are natural to our authentic selves.

For me, Mrs. I-Love-Junk-and-Power-Tools-and-Blogging, they scouted out the perfect location that was one part Amazing Workshop, one part Awesome Vintage Salvage Shop, and another part Delicious Cafe.

I felt like I was at Disney World or something when I walked in and saw this workshop!!


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The dust!

The tools!

The vintage!

The organization!

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Even the way they had scraps of wood mounted on the wall, it looks perfectly placed, full of character and intrigue! I felt inspired to do something like that to my workshop, too!

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I marveled at the skill it must have taken to put together furniture from scratch like this…. And the fact that they clearly had a sense of humor. 😉

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And the stockpile of wood! The materials! I couldn’t close my mouth.

I wanted to move into this workshop. I wanted the professionals there to teach me everything they knew.

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Remnants of their projects were scattered about and showed the level of detail and pride in their handmade pieces.

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I wish I could tell you where this workshop is located (they offer classes, too), but since the catalog isn’t coming out until last winter/early spring, I can’t say yet.

But man… I was so in love with that workshop that I was serious when I asked the owner if I could come back to become and apprentice for a few days!

I’m totally serious. 🙂

#1 Salvage Shop Tip1: Look for Boxes…and Lots of Them!

As if it couldn’t get any better…. nearby to the workshop was the.most.amazing vintage salvage shop I had ever seen.

Maybe I’m just used to the thrift store, where great finds are far and few between, but this place….

….there were just so many amazing treasures!!

One of the best things to buy from salvage shops is vintage wooden and metal baskets. My favorite are the ones with card catalog labels on them. These can be used for storage on shelves!

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#2 Salvage Shop Tip: Vintage Letters Are Hot Buys

Art & Architecture had tons of signs and letters! Just be forewarned that vintage letters like these are usually pretty pricey. I don’t recall how much these were, but there were expensive (but very cool!). I actually happened to find some letters one day while at the organic store, so keep your eyes open for these popular letters.

 

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#3 Salvage Shop Tip: Ask If They’ll Ship To Your Home!

I fell in love with these lockers and cabinets.

See the little gray one on top of the blue one, next to the green? I had to have it.

It wasn’t cheap. (Don’t ask!).

But when you compare the cost to what I would pay retail in Maryland….well…I bought it and paid to have them ship it to me. I considered it a gift to myself for a job well done on set. A souvenir, if you will…

Most businesses can ship things via Greyhound and it actually is super affordable. Shipping for one of these cabinets was only about $50!

 

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#4 Salvage Shop Tip: What Can You Frame?

I also fell in love with these vintage comics!! I bought 4 of them!

I plan to frame them.

Look for old photographs…comics…anything that can easily be framed, to create instant wall art. 🙂

 

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#5 Salvage Shop Tip: Invest In Nostalgia

Who knew that those old phones we all remember from our childhood would become so valuable? While I think $65 is expensive, I like the idea of investing in those items that bring back a sense of nostalgia.

Look for those things that you can bring into your life that remind you of your childhood, even something as mundane as an old phone. 😉

 

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And it’s hard to see, but I wanted that long table!!!! I think it was $750. EEK…but worth every penny. If only I lived closer.

Watch the short video clip HERE of the behind-the-scenes of this room.

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Finishing Up Our Adventure at the Salvage Shop

It took us about 5-6 hours to shoot about seven scenes with different wardrobe changes at the salvage shop.

Then later that night, Fatima, the makeup artist, invited me out with her husband and niece and we hit up an Aveda party and a local bar. She and I really clicked! She was so awesome! Don’t you love making new friends??

serena and fatima

 

So if you’re ever in Minnesota, you’ve got to check out Art & Architecture! And they will ship to you. Awesome, right??

So have you ever found that perfect salvage shop that makes you drool?? Tell me all about it below!

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39 Comments

  1. Congratulations! Can’t wait to see the photos. And, I’m dying for some of those wire baskets.

  2. Catherine says:

    Seriously had to work to pick my jaw up from looking at these pictures! I have always felt peaceful and at home in the library, so to fill my home with cabinets that look like they hold the card catalog would be amazing to me. I also want that blue pendant light like you wouldn’t believe! If only I wasn’t so far away…. Perhaps they would be willing to ship it? Would you be so kind as to give us their phone number or address so I can look them up and call?

    1. Catherine, I know!! So amazing! I did buy one of those cabinets (one of the gray ones) and they’re shipping it to me next week! Email me and I’ll give you their phone number!!

  3. Hey there – what a great place to visit! I have all my old Flintstones and Archies Comic Books – maybe I should frame mine as well……………….also, that black phone? I have one of those – it was the first phone ever in the house my dad built a few years before he met my mom. It was hardwired into the house and when we sold the house after dad died, I took a knife and cut the wires………..it still has the original phone number on it Hu-75198. That’s had they used to have numbers where I lived. I keep it on a desk with my dad’s glasses, his cigarette lighter and my grandad’s sheriff’s badge.

    I can’t wait to find out where this really cool salvage place is – I would love to have some of those car tags! Those are called License Plates in all states but this one……….we are strange here. 🙂

    1. Kelli, what a great momento for you to keep from your dad’s house! And I had no idea that that is how the numbers used to be! How cool is that?? So I guess the xxx-xxxx numbers came with the touchtone phones then, right? Awesome!

      I can’t wait to tell you where it is! Where do you live again?

  4. Can’t wait to hear where this place is located AND they offer classes!! I’ve always wanted to do this type of ‘work’. ..WOOOHOOOO, can’t wait to see the catalog you will be the ‘super model’! I never new they used ‘real people’. Looks like you had a blast.

  5. Gracie Redfield says:

    Thank you for posting all the awesome photos! I became monosyllabic when I saw the Lighting photo—“Lamp!” “Lamp!” All that wonderful vintage and antique lighting! 😀

    1. And there were all so unique! A lot of them weren’t cheap, though. But I look at it this way: I would pay money for those unique things because when will you ever find anything else like it, you know??

      1. Gracie Redfield says:

        Very true, Serena. “Unique” will always be sought by the creative mind. 🙂

  6. Serena! woohooo!!!

    so happy to hear your great news. 🙂 I love Duluth!

    another thing I love??? all those chairs hanging from the ceiling!

    gail

    1. Thanks, Gail! I love Duluth, too! They’re the most comfy clothes I have ever worn. And yeah, the chairs on the ceiling was awesome! The place had so much personality!

  7. Hi Serena, Congrats for sure!! I can feel your adrenaline rush in finding these awesome shops by your writing here!! Love adrenaline rush feeling moments!!

    1. The perfect words, Sherrie! 🙂 It was definitely an adrenaline rush and a place of wonder! Glad that you liked the post!

  8. Linda Weeks says:

    Well, I was waiting to hear where this place is – but I’ll wait until you can tell me later… we have so many cool places in Maryland! Been to ‘Second Chance’? How about the ‘Loading Dock”? Both in Baltimore… the Loading dock has lots of salvaged things, not all as worthwhile as your finds, but the prices are good. I love getting a chance to look around at these places, even when I don’t have any $ to lose! Keep up the good work!

    1. Oooh, I’ve heard great things about the places in Baltimore! I’d never been to either of those. I’m going to have to check them out! Have you ever been to Community Forklift? It’s in Edmonston, which is right past College Park. It’s awesome. But nowhere near what this place is. Community Forklift is more junk-yardy, with old stoves and toilets, but also doorknobs and stuff!

  9. Patricia B says:

    Hey Serena,
    They had to pick you as a model, you’re real, and beautiful to boot!! I’m having palpitations looking at all that they vintage awesomeness. Except for that Wisconsin license plate, that looks like a current plate. I haven’t really found anything as amazing as that place. I’m still looking!! Love ya’

    1. Hey, Patricia! I know! I had never found a place as great, either. It’s amazing! Thanks for the compliments, too. I can’t wait for the pics to show up in the catalog! 🙂

  10. Linda Reed says:

    Looks like you should have driven a tuck out for the shoot or maybe a good thing you didn’t. I can’t wait for you to tell us the location, I want to plan my next vacation there. I want some baskets like that, but have not found any in my part of Maryland, let me know if you find some in a 50 mile radius of Frederick. Glad you had a good time.

    1. Hey, Linda! Oh, yeah, it’s a good thing I didn’t 1) have more money, or 2) had a truck! I wanted one of everything they had! You know, someone was telling me about a hot spot in Baltimore, but I can’t remember the area. I’m wondering if they have a place like this in Baltimore. I’ll find out and let you know!

      1. It may be Second Chance Inc. Never been there, but it’s my first stop when i get some time. Love your blog, Serena. I’m a hopelessly bad DIY’er in real life, but love to imagine being good at it someday. 🙂

        http://www.secondchanceinc.org

        1. I’ll definitely check that out! I’m always looking for great places!
          And I don’t believe you’re a bad DIY’er! We all start somewhere, and the more we do it, the better we get! 🙂 Keep at it!!

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