On State Street, on Meeting Street, even in Triangle City and beyond, West Columbia has a high concentration of antique stores. 

Those stores see waves of various types of buyers throughout the year. From Gamecock fans in town for a game or the families of Fort Jackson Basic Training grads, customers come to browse, and buy the local antique inventory.  City of West Columbia-sponsored events, like Kinetic Derby Day, Art on State and the Meeting Street Music Fest also add to visibility for local businesses. And many shop owners are noticing a tread in their clientele.

“We’re seeing younger people coming in to buy antiques,” said Margret Causey. She owns Old Mill Antique Mall at 310 State Street. It has been open for 41 years. Margaret has owned it since 1992.  

“We are seeing more USC students coming in,” she said. “They buy anything from art to glassware. The glassware is thicker and more durable. The older stuff is made better and they like that.” 

Scott Anderson is the owner of Three Rivers Antiques. Thirty-four dealers market their wares in his shop at 615 Meeting Street.

“We’re seeing more young people buying vintage items,” Scott said. They like the nostalgic vibe.” 

Scott described the new clientele as young professionals. He said some of the traffic comes from the Brookland Complex at the corner of State and Meeting Streets. St. Ann’s Alley on Center Street is another newer residential development with buyers that have walls and floor space that need décor.

Three Rivers Antiques is located between WECO Bottle and Biergartin and Savage Craft Ale Works. Some of the antique-buying patrons of those establishments discover the his shop that way, Scott said. 

“There is more walkability now,” he said. “And the customers we’re seeing want better quality furniture, not IKEA-type or furniture that comes in a box that you put together.”

Ellyn Nester was behind the sales counter at The Warehouse, owned by Jay White, at 312 State Street, Tuesday. She also said she is seeing a younger clientele coming in to buy antiques.

“They like the high-quality furniture,” Ellyn said. “We get a lot of our inventory from estate sales and our customers like those types of items. Second-hand is becoming more popular with buyers.” 

There is also the Garden Relic beside The Warehouse for outside vintage and garden items.

All three businesses said they still get regulars and many older customers. Some stop by annually when traveling from “Up North” to Florida. Others are visiting for tubing trips on the Congaree in the warm-weather months. The volume of traffic is drawn by West Columbia’s reputation as an antiquing destination. 

Below is a list of some West Columbia antique stores:

• State Street Trading Co. – 134 State Street – (803) 550-9048
• Old Mill Antique Mall – 310 State St – (803) 796-4229
• Three Rivers Antiques – 615 Meeting St – (803) 814-2102
• 763 Meeting Street Antiques – 763 Meeting St – (803) 796-1516
• Meeting Street Interiors – 614 Meeting St – (803) 791-0008
• Attic Fanatic- 251 Charleston Hwy – (803) 828-4036
• ADD VINTAGE – 1217 Augusta Rd. – (803) 821-8208
• Parks Furniture Antiques Ltd – 3131 Sunset Blvd – (803) 791-4071
• The Warehouse SC – 312 State St – (803) 834-7557