How to Antique the Hudson Valley: A Practical Guide

None of this is complicated, but knowing it in advance makes every shop on this site work better.

Know what kind of place you're walking into

"Antique shop" covers at least six different businesses here, and each works differently.

• Group shops and antique malls. One building, many dealers. Each dealer rents a booth or case and prices it, and the staff run the register for everyone. You get variety and reliable hours. The person at the counter usually didn't price what you're holding, so negotiating goes through a phone call to the dealer. Be patient. It often works.
• Single-dealer shops. One owner, one eye, one set of prices. The dealer knows the provenance and can decide on price on the spot. These keep the least predictable hours. "Thursday through Monday, or by appointment" is common, and "by appointment" means exactly that.
• Owner-operated warehouses. Large shops that look like malls but aren't, like the Antique Warehouse in Hudson.
• Architectural salvage yards. They sell parts of buildings: doors, mantels, radiators, sinks, lighting, hardware, windows.
• Shows and flea markets. Temporary events, some juried and high-end, some sprawling and mixed.
• Auctions. They can be the cheapest way to buy good things and the fastest way to overpay for mediocre ones. Go once just to watch before you bid.

Hours, seasons, and the Tuesday problem

The most common way to ruin an antiquing day is to show up on the wrong day.

• Early-week closures are the norm. Warren Street goes quiet on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Red Owl Collective is closed Tuesdays. If your free day is a Tuesday, build the trip around places open daily, like the Antique Warehouse in Hudson, Coxsackie Antique Center, and the Beekman Arms Antique Market.
• Winter thins things out. Some small shops close in January or keep weekend-only hours.
• Fall is peak season: the best weather, the most shops open, and the heaviest traffic. Go early.

If you're driving somewhere for one specific shop, call first.

Talking price without being rude

• Ask, don't offer. "Is there any flexibility on this?" is the standard opening.
• Know the usual range. In many shops a discount of around ten percent on request is common, especially on larger pieces or for cash. Don't expect it on a six-dollar teacup.
• Bundle. Buying two or three things from one dealer is the easiest way to a better price.
• Bring some cash. Several smaller dealers prefer cash or don't take cards.

Don't get burned

Most dealers here are honest, and many are real experts, but reproductions are everywhere.

• Ask directly: "Is this old or a reproduction? What can you tell me about where it came from?"
• For anything significant, ask the dealer to write the maker, the approximate date, and "period" or "later" on your receipt.
• "Victorian-style," "farmhouse," "primitive," and "rustic" describe a look, not an age.
• If you're new to buying, a shop with a written guarantee, like Coxsackie Antique Center's Repro-Free Zone, is a comfortable place to learn.

Measure twice, drive once

Bring a tape measure and the measurements of the space you're shopping for. Measure your doorways, stair turns, and your car's cargo space too. More antiques are returned or abandoned because they don't fit through a door than for any other reason. Many shops will hold a paid piece for a few days while you arrange transport, so ask before you assume. Keep moving blankets and ratchet straps in the car on any antiquing day.

Habits of people who find the good stuff

• Go early. At shows and flea markets, the best pieces often sell in the first hour.
• Go back. Group shops restock constantly.
• Tell dealers what you're looking for and leave your name and number.
• Buy what you love. Antiques are a poor investment for most people and a wonderful one for your house.

Ready to plan a day? Start with a county: Hudson, Kingston, or Greene County.