When I moved to Las Vegas in 1996 I found the antiques scene to be somewhat depressing. Many of the shops were filled with items that were damaged and outrageously overpriced. The one mall that was here at that time, The Sampler Shoppes, was large but was a rambling of stalls overflowing with stuff that tested the meaning of "collectible" let alone "antique".
In the past ten years or so, however, there has been steady improvement among local antique dealers. To begin with, the number of outlets is growing almost weekly. Competition is driving quality and sensible pricing. And since the population of the Las Vegas area has doubled since I arrived in the mid-90s, there has been an influx of objects - not to mention collectors - from all over the country. All of this equates to a very healthy atmosphere for the antique hunter.
This past week I visited one of the hidden gems of the local antiques market - Not Just Antiques Mart. Funnily enough, it was the "Not Just" that had kept me from popping in for so many years. Not Just Antiques Mart has been open since 2005 and I had driven past it many times when trying to avoid traffic on the I-15, but the exterior never tempted me to stop.
Not Just Antiques Mart occupies a rambling building on Western Avenue behind the Holsum Lofts. From the outside it looks like most Vegas buildings - modern, boxy, covered in stucco - boring. When I pulled in the other day for the first time I sat considering the facade while I finished my Coke and sandwich. I really wasn't expecting much and was still fixated on the "Not Just" part of the name and debating whether I should bother to get out of my warm car into the gray drizzle of the afternoon. Needless to say, however, curiosity won out and I decided to go in.
This past week I visited one of the hidden gems of the local antiques market - Not Just Antiques Mart. Funnily enough, it was the "Not Just" that had kept me from popping in for so many years. Not Just Antiques Mart has been open since 2005 and I had driven past it many times when trying to avoid traffic on the I-15, but the exterior never tempted me to stop.
Not Just Antiques Mart occupies a rambling building on Western Avenue behind the Holsum Lofts. From the outside it looks like most Vegas buildings - modern, boxy, covered in stucco - boring. When I pulled in the other day for the first time I sat considering the facade while I finished my Coke and sandwich. I really wasn't expecting much and was still fixated on the "Not Just" part of the name and debating whether I should bother to get out of my warm car into the gray drizzle of the afternoon. Needless to say, however, curiosity won out and I decided to go in.
Watch Your Step it says in large black letters on a wide strip of orange tape as you enter. There's a plunging step not far from the door that no doubt has startled many people out of whatever reverie they may have been in. I nearly fell myself. The enterprising staff had even placed an orange construction cone near the top to call attention to the drop but we antiquers tend to be looking everywhere but where we're going. A cheerful female voice called out from somewhere, "Watch your
step!" Thank God she did. I am the Jacques Clousseau of bric-a-brac hunters.
I think the photographs speak for themselves but from the moment I stepped down over that treacherous stair I was completely drawn in. Not Just Antiques Mart is a bit like a trip through C.S. Lewis's magical wardrobe. Looking at the exterior you would never imagine that a labyrinth of literally thousands of collectibles and curiosities awaits. The interior is spread out over 12,000 square feet and two and a half floors. There are rooms and hallways and more rooms and staircases that lead to yet more rooms and spaces, and everywhere there is something to see. The place is enormous and the variety is staggering.
step!" Thank God she did. I am the Jacques Clousseau of bric-a-brac hunters.
I think the photographs speak for themselves but from the moment I stepped down over that treacherous stair I was completely drawn in. Not Just Antiques Mart is a bit like a trip through C.S. Lewis's magical wardrobe. Looking at the exterior you would never imagine that a labyrinth of literally thousands of collectibles and curiosities awaits. The interior is spread out over 12,000 square feet and two and a half floors. There are rooms and hallways and more rooms and staircases that lead to yet more rooms and spaces, and everywhere there is something to see. The place is enormous and the variety is staggering.
Don't let the "Not Just" fool you as it did me. There are plenty of antiques - trust me. If there were not I would not be writing about it here. If, like me, you have an unhealthy penchant for plates and figurines you'll think you've died and gone to heaven. There are acres of showcases filled with everything from Toby jugs to Art Deco porcelain to modern Hummels. I can't imagine that anyone could spend thirty minutes in Not Just Antiques Mart and not find something to buy.
I was also impressed by the number of collectibles that tend to interest a more masculine audience. Let's face it, a lot of men find the idea of visiting antique shops as interesting as visiting the dentist. Not Just Antiques Mart is more than just 12,000 square feet of porcelain gals done up in 18th-century costume; I was pleased to see an equal number of tobacciana, beer and advertising collectibles, magazines, books, toys and other things that appeal to guys who generally think they won't find anything of interest in an antique shop.
I was also impressed by the number of collectibles that tend to interest a more masculine audience. Let's face it, a lot of men find the idea of visiting antique shops as interesting as visiting the dentist. Not Just Antiques Mart is more than just 12,000 square feet of porcelain gals done up in 18th-century costume; I was pleased to see an equal number of tobacciana, beer and advertising collectibles, magazines, books, toys and other things that appeal to guys who generally think they won't find anything of interest in an antique shop.
If you're visiting Las Vegas and want something to do for a few hours that doesn't involve a casino, Not Just Antiques Mart is the perfect choice. Prices run the gamut but overall I found most items to be very reasonably priced. The staff is friendly and attentive and the atmosphere is casual. This would be a great outing as a family with older children as there's so much to see and learn about. I would allow at least two hours to see the entire building. It truly is ramble.
Not Just Antiques Mart is located at 1422 Western Avenue. It is very handy to the highway and Downtown. Don't let anyone lead you to believe that this is a "bad" area of town. True it is not shiny and new and the area is in transition at the moment, but it is perfectly safe and the store offers ample parking right up front. The building houses a number of dealers but is predominantly filled with consignment items so the stock changes frequently. Not Just Antiques Mart also offers appraisals, estate liquidation and has a "Sell it on eBay" program. For more information you can visit their website at www.notjustantiquesmart.com.
Not Just Antiques Mart is located at 1422 Western Avenue. It is very handy to the highway and Downtown. Don't let anyone lead you to believe that this is a "bad" area of town. True it is not shiny and new and the area is in transition at the moment, but it is perfectly safe and the store offers ample parking right up front. The building houses a number of dealers but is predominantly filled with consignment items so the stock changes frequently. Not Just Antiques Mart also offers appraisals, estate liquidation and has a "Sell it on eBay" program. For more information you can visit their website at www.notjustantiquesmart.com.
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