Back in the 1980’s and 1990’s, Benicia was known as an antiques town. There were enough antiques shops lining First Street for a day of treasure hunting, lost in the past. In the late 1990’s they began to disappear, making way for clothing, gift and other retail shops and restaurants.
Over the past decade as Downtown Benicia has grown, in number and sophistication of shops and eateries, the antiques stores became scarce. But recently there’s been a bustle of activity as antiques and vintage stores repopulate downtown and the Arsenal, so that once again, it’s possible to immerse oneself for many hours.
Is this a good thing for Downtown Benicia? Some skeptics say they would prefer retail of a more contemporary nature, but with the current trend of mixing old and new in home and personal fashion, the two seem to be happily coexisting. Bustling shopping destinations like Petaluma, Carmel and Sonoma are good examples of cities with a successful blend of the old and the new, providing shoppers a variety of options.
Arsenal
Rags to Riches, consignment clothing, some vintage jewelry, 946 C Tyler Street
Hip Chic Designs, shabby chic, repurposed items and vintage home accessories, 946 D Tyler Street
Consignment Arsenal, consignment furnishings, vintage items, 946 Tyler Street
Lottie Ballou, vintage clothing, period costumes, 940 Tyler Street #16
Downtown
Benicia Antiques Mall, 918 First Street
Adobe Second Chance Thrift Store, some vintage furniture, 929 First Street
Blue Goose Antiques, 622 First Street
Discover Yesterday, vintage & antique clothing & accessories, 364 First Street
Honeysuckle Rose, antiques and collectibles, 620 First Street
The Steffen Collection, vintage and collectibles, 627 First Street
Charlie’s Attic, collectibles and consignment, 519 First Street
Blue Bird Vintage, vintage clothing and accessories, 800 First Street
Elisa’s Closet, vintage clothing and accessories, 623 First Street
Nest, new, vintage and shabby chic home accessories, 131-C First Street
Fabulous Finds, antique furniture and collectibles, 129-L First Street
