Calgary is sorely lacking in second-hand furniture stores; there are exactly four worth mentioning. This makes sourcing gems a challenge, but there are diamonds to be found in the rough. Here, Calgary’s best vintage furniture stores.
Mid-Century Dweller
This brand-spanking new shop on the Inglewood strip is a must-visit for those hunting ’50s to ’70s designer pieces. Specializing in Danish modern (in terminal short supply in this town), Dweller offers fair prices on refurbished stereo cabinets, teak sideboards, 1950s Sputnik chandeliers, lounge chairs, fuzzy hoop chairs and more. 1222 Ninth Avenue S.E., 403-918-4475.
Leo’s Second Hand Store
This shop’s rabbit-warren basement is always crammed with well-preserved, mostly mid-20th century furniture. Browse an endless tangle of tables, chairs, chests and more, plus glassware, framed prints and the like upstairs. The store’s gruff titular owner is always helpful and ready to haggle. 1225B Ninth Avenue S.E., 403-233-7679.
Junktiques
The sign warns, “Abuse over our prices will not be tolerated.” Sure, the store can be pricey, but you get what you pay for: The city’s rarest, refurbished antiques, from barrister bookcases and butcher’s blocks to mahogany china cabinets and church pews. Plus, recent-vintage kitchen sets, among other items, are priced to move. 1226B Ninth Avenue S.E., 403-263-0619.
Calgary Inter-Faith Thrift Furniture Store
Outside, it looks like a junkyard. Inside, this ramshackle stucco barn is, well, a junkyard. If you don’t mind wading through the wreckage, great finds await. Sixties living room sets, antique cupboards and one-of-a-kind items (massive oak birdcage stand anyone?) are dirt cheap but often in need of TLC. 635 35 Avenue N.E., 403-276-3173.
Image courtesy of alex&ro.
