Antiquing in Kingston: Red Owl, Zaborski, and the Stockade

Kingston was New York's first state capital, burned by the British in 1777, rebuilt, and made rich in the 1800s by canal and river trade. A lot of that building stock came down in the 20th century, and much of it ended up in salvage. That's why Kingston is the one city on this site with a real architectural salvage culture.

Kingston splits into two antique personalities. The Stockade District and the Rondout waterfront are the historic, walkable ends of town. Midtown, around Cornell Street, is warehouse territory: bigger buildings, more under one roof.

Morning: Red Owl Collective

Start in Midtown at Red Owl Collective, 25 Cornell Street. It opened in August 2023 in a former roller rink and bowling alley, 10,000 square feet with 50 to 90+ vendors. Expect mid-century modern furniture, vintage clothing, jewelry, vinyl, art, and collectible toys. Parking is free, and the stock turns over fast enough to justify repeat visits.

It's open Wednesday through Monday, 11 to 6, and closed Tuesday, so build the rest of your day around it. From May through October, the Red Owl Flea runs in the side lot on the first Sunday of the month, 10 to 3.

Late morning: Zaborski Emporium

A few minutes away, Zaborski Emporium, 27 Hoffman Street, is a family-run architectural salvage warehouse in an old factory: 40,000 square feet over four floors of radiators, marble sinks, church windows, doors, claw-foot tubs, lighting, plumbing fixtures, and signage.

Practical notes: it's open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 to 5, and by appointment. The building is unheated and can be colder inside than outside in winter, so wear a heavy coat, gloves, and thick-soled shoes. It's not a polished experience, but if you need something you can't find anywhere else, this is where to look.

Wednesday through Saturday are the days both Red Owl and Zaborski are open, so that's the stretch to plan a Kingston day around.

Afternoon: the Stockade and the Rondout

• Kingston Consignments (66 North Front Street) fills two full floors and is open seven days.
• Down in the Rondout, Milne Antiques and Design (81 Broadway) is a short walk from Mezzanine Vintage, which sells vintage jewelry, art, and ceramics by appointment.
• Stan'z Used Items and Antiques on Ulster Avenue is a junk-and-treasure shop that rewards a patient dig.

Eat and drink nearby

• Rough Draft Bar & Books (82 John Street) is in a stone building from 1774 at the Four Corners.
• Kingston has a deep craft beverage scene: Keegan Ales, Blue Duck Brewing Company, Kingston Standard Brewing, and Wiltwyck Spirits Company.
• The Kingston Farmers Market is worth timing a trip around.

If you have more time

Kingston is the hub of a trail that runs three ways:

• West on Route 28: Reservoir Antique Mall in Shokan (two floors, open all seven days), then Phoenicia Arts and Antiques.
• North to Saugerties: Saugerties Antiques Center, plus Fed-On Lights Antiques for vintage lighting and plumbing fixtures.
• South to New Paltz: the Antiques Barn in the Water Street Market.

Save these for a second trip. Hours change, so call ahead.