#Discover #Antiquing #Bliss #Great #American #Main #Street #Frederick #Maryland
Add some spice to your antiquing trips. Ditch the highway hustle. Skip the fast food. Avoid knickknacks. Instead, explore the quaint shops, well-stocked antique stores, local food, and ambiance of a Great American Main Street in Frederick, Maryland.
Located about an hour from Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, the city of Frederick is easily accessible by several interstate highways and Amtrak/MARC trains. The train station is downtown and an easy walk to the Main Street area.
Whether you’re an avid collector or just looking for a unique day out, this charming town has everything you need for the ultimate antiquing adventure. So put on your walking shoes and get ready to discover the experiences waiting for you on Frederick’s picturesque streets.
Courtesy of Frederick, Maryland, Tourism
Spotlight on Smart Growth
First, allow me to tell you about Frederick’s Great American Main Street.
The Great American Main Street Awards, given out by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, recognize streets across the country that have been restored to their former glory and are now thriving community hubs. Frederick, Maryland’s, main street is a perfect example of a Great American Main Street.
Courtesy of Frederick, Maryland, Tourism
Once a bustling center of commerce and trade, Frederick’s Main Street had fallen into disrepair. But thanks to the efforts of local business owners, city leaders, and preservationists, the area has been revitalized. It is now home to quaint shops, restaurants, museums, and beautiful historic buildings.
There is something captivating about strolling down their brick-lined sidewalks, enjoying the Colonial and Victorian architecture, historic inns, restaurants, and charming local shops. Downtown Frederick exudes an old-world charm that is simply irresistible. The surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains add to the appeal.
Courtesy of Frederick, Maryland, Tourism
A Flourishing Antiquing Environment
Antiques collectors typically appreciate history, craftsmanship, the arts, and culture. Downtown Frederick offers all of these: museums, art galleries, live theatre, public art, music venues, and fine and casual dining.
Antique stores, too, are a tourism magnet. According to an economic impact study of travel and tourism in southwestern Pennsylvania, “for every dollar of expenditure created by the local antiques trade, more than three dollars were generated in flow-on income effects for that regional economy.” Antiquing tourists spend on hotels, food, gas, entertainment, and sightseeing.
Antiques enthusiasts are an engaged bunch. They are also well-heeled: Baby Boomers (still the primary antiques buyer cohort) hold over 70% of the disposable income in the U.S. Visitor spending in Frederick County in 2021 — in the depths of the pandemic — was $461 million, the highest it’s ever been. The Main Street area fared well, too, the 2021 Downtown Frederick Business Survey reports.
Courtesy Frederick, Maryland, Tourism
The financial health of the city is directly related to visitor satisfaction. Nearly 500 of the 675 reviews on TripAdvisor gave downtown Frederick a 5-star rating. Representative of the reviews is this one from Couples:
“We so enjoyed our trip to Frederick, MD. Lots to see and do. Great vintage and antique shops. And so many food options too! Definitely planning a return visit.”
And this review from sNoProblem:
“Lovely downtown with lots to do. Restaurants, historic sites, and architecture. I loved walking the streets.”
An Easy, Walkable, Downtown Antiquing Experience
Antiques enthusiasts prefer to shop in areas where stores are clustered. They like to browse, and antique stores within walking distance of each other provide many browsing and buying opportunities. The city of Frederick claims ten antique stores, too many to get to in just one day. So, here are my top picks for a day of antiquing in Downtown Frederick.
Begin at the visitor’s center at 151 S. East Street, where you can get a walking tour map and browse their guidebooks. If you have a map, you’ll enjoy your walkabout a bit more. While you’re there, chat with the staff and watch the award-winning film about Frederick, “A Turn of the Wheel.” Then head to East Patrick Street, where you will find a cluster of antique shops.
At 24 East Patrick, you’ll find Vintage MC. There you will discover a well-curated collection of vintage Mid-Century Modern (MCM) furniture, décor, rugs, drinkware, accessories — the list goes on. If you’re particular about having authentic MCM items, you won’t find a better store than this one.
Courtesy of Frederick, Maryland, Tourism
Close by at 39 East Patrick is Heritage Interiors, offering high-end furniture, décor, and accessories consignments. This is the place to find gently-used items for your home.
When you’ve browsed Heritage Interiors, move to the next block to Emporium Antiques, at 112 East Patrick. This place is huge (“cavernous” is often used to describe the store), so allow at least an hour to browse around. Emporium is a multi-dealer mall; currently, 130 dealers sell their wares there, so expect an expansive inventory.
There are more antique shops downtown (as you’ll see when you’re there), but I can’t cover them all in this short article. I’d be remiss, though, if I didn’t tell you about my next choice before signing off.
Not Downtown, But Don’t Miss This One
It’s not just the physical setting that makes Frederick unique. It’s the people. The shopkeepers and restauranteurs take pride in their businesses and are always ready to share a story about the city’s rich history. Consider Paul Berkowitz, for example.
Paul and his wife Joan own Greater Frederick’s premiere antique store, Great Stuff By Paul (GSBP). Located adjacent to — but not in — the Main Street area, GSBP has been featured in dozens of national magazines and newspapers, resides in the Martha Stewart Magazine Top 100, and is a Country Living Magazine Top 10 Favorite. Great Stuff By Paul is regularly featured on HGTV and has provided period props for five movies. A half-dozen times in the past fifteen years, GSBP has been voted Frederick’s best antique store.
The Berkowitz’s store stands apart from the usual antique mall hodgepodge. You’ll find no brick-a-brack, china, or toys. Instead, you’ll find 52,000 square feet — an entire city block — of antiques hand-picked by Paul and Joan: furniture, baskets, pottery, wood, and metal. Paul regularly travels to Europe and China on buying trips and returns with container loads of antiques from each visit. Their website proudly proclaims “The Whole World in a Warehouse.” Decorators and designers from across the U.S. shop there, enjoying the unique inventory and wholesale prices.
Fans of Industrial Chic will especially like Paul’s store. He buys fixtures from defunct factories and repurposes them into bars, wine racks, tables, and décor.
I asked Berkowitz what effect the Main Street revitalization had on his business, if any. Given that he’s been in business for twenty-six years (pre-Main Street revitalization), I figured he would have a unique perspective. “Definitely more customer traffic,” he replied enthusiastically.
So whether you’re looking to do some serious antiquing or just want to enjoy a leisurely stroll down a beautiful main street, Frederick is worth a visit. Happy hunting.
For more information on Frederick, Maryland, click here.
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