Looking for an out-and-about fall afternoon packed with delights? Northern Michigan’s antique shops are filled with untold treasures. Our first stop: Elk Rapids Antiques.
This article first appeared in Traverse Northern Michigan. Find this story and more when you explore our magazine library. Want Traverse delivered to your door or inbox monthly? View our print subscription and digital subscription options.
– A is for Autumn and Antiques –
Photo by Allison Jarrell
Destination: Elk Rapids Antiques // 914 US-31, Elk Rapids
Set right on US-31 just south of downtown Elk Rapids (and its restaurants, shops and sandy beaches) is a white home surrounded by maple trees. A hydrangea bush anchors the front porch that’s heavy with lush hanging ferns. Inside the 3,000-square-foot antique boutique, each room holds a surprise—a refurbished Elgin National Coffee Mill grinder from the late 1800s, chicken-shaped ice cream molds, hutches that’ll make you weak in the knees. Go upstairs for more.
Fun finds: Larger home pieces—furniture, lighting, art, architectural elements—abound.
Don’t miss: Margot the Shop, a tiny stone cottage out back with thoughtfully curated delights. Walk through the bright red front door to find timeworn vintage pieces, home goods from world travels and stellar wide-brimmed hats.
Photo by Allison Jarrell
Photo by Allison Jarrell
Photo by Allison Jarrell
We fell in love with: Managing Editor Carly Simpson was smitten with a ceramic pretzel-shaped flask, complete with chunky flakes of salt, which was tucked away in a locked glass case. Executive Editor Cara McDonald doted on a rocking horse whose ears, mane and tail had been completely loved off.
Photo by Allison Jarrell
Photo by Allison Jarrell
Photo by Allison Jarrell
Stop for: A quick jaunt down Elk Lake Road will land you at The Granary at Seven Gables. The Michigan Centennial Farm has a gift shop bursting with goodies (we left with a jar of locally made red raspberry jam). A robin’s-egg-blue–trimmed outbuilding called Grandma’s Garage is brimming with antiques and collectibles—wooden snowshoes, cowboy boots, cast iron cookware (scored a skillet for making apple crisp). An honor-system roadside farm stand has cinnamon-roasted almonds, juicy Honeycrisp apples, fuzzy peaches and the season’s last tomatoes.