You’ll want to dedicate an entire afternoon – nay, a whole day – to wandering through the warren of stalls inside Mitchell Road Antique and Design Centre. With more than 60 dealers set up under a ceiling of fairy lights in this sprawling warehouse, there’s sure to be a decade, style or oddity that catches your antiquing eye.
Whether you’re on the war path to fully refurbish your home with retro finds, seeking out that special Marvel action figure, or looking to revamp your wardrobe with vintage style (perhaps a kickin’ pair of cowboy boots) you’ve found yourself the right store. You can find a fully fitted-out 1960s kitchen, set up with a teak veneer table guarded by black vinyl chairs, a matching buffet dresser and cabinets full of crock pots, hand beaters and mechanical cooking scales. There’s an entire cabinet dedicated to Glomesh purses, purposefully colour-coded shelves of vintage glassware and a ‘man cave’ area full of industrial-style light fittings and garage equipment.
Then there’s those intriguing one-off items that are just itching to tell a story. See if you can spot the miniature Hills Hoist used by travelling clothesline salesmen, or a Buck-a-Roo board game inscribed with a message from Santa – ‘Game is to be shared between Leanne and Richard.’ Hope there weren’t any squabbles.
While you could spend the hefty sum of $4,500 on a preserved whale bone or fork out $795 for late 19th century French wedding dome, there’s also more approachable items at pleasing prices. Pick up a set of retro bar stools for $50, one of those Glomesh wallets for as little as $25 or a full-length faux-fur coat for $58.
As you hunt for bargains, any of the friendly stallholders who’re floating about the premises are happy to assist you, even if it’s not their shop. It’s a real community vibe. Otherwise the warm owner Lyn Richardson will share her sage advice from 30 years in the antique and pre-loved industries. But when you plan your visit, don’t actually go looking for them on Mitchell Road. This diverse caravan packed up their swags about four years ago and moved to Bourke Street in Alexandria, but kept the name that has served them well for more than 12 years.
