Not exactly "traveling", but I did explore a new vintage shop close to where I live for the first time the other day. It's on the Grange Estate, which is a beautiful property in Haverford, PA, on which rests a gorgeous mansion, old barn, and 322 acres of scenic nature tucked into the center of a random neighborhood. I stumbled upon Grange Estate walking one day and fell in love with the enormous old trees turning towards warmer fall shades and was even happier to see a sign advertising a thrift shop open on Sundays. And then, of course, I forgot for about a season. My wife reminded me the other day that I'd suggested we return, so we rushed over about an hour before the shop closed at 4pm.
But more about this historic property, which dates back to 1682, and has passed through the hands of several families. It is said to have been a place that George Washington dined at one time. The mansion is in the Gothic Architecture style, having been renovated from the Georgian style by John Ashurst in the early 1800s. That is the style that is preserved to this day and which you can tour. You can read more about this property at https://thegrangeestate.net/ or better yet, plan a visit and tour and get the whole scoop.
We arrived close to closing, so headed directly for the sweet reindeer and lantern facade in the Porte-cotere, beckoning and promising magic on the other side of the door. The Grange Gift Shoppe did not disappoint.
Opening the door to this shop was a little like entering a portal. As we stepped inside, we were immediately overcome with a shimmery warmth, which was a very welcome change from the frigid weather. The vibe here could not be more different from the bigger thrift stores, where sometimes the goal seems to be something on the spectrum between attic junk pile held together by cobwebs and grandpa's dusty truck bed. Here, every place your eye can fall houses a beautiful vignette. It is abundantly clear that the shopkeepers take the greatest care and have a stunning attention to detail. The place genuinely looks ready for a visit from Martha Stewart magazine.
It's the holidays, so there were whispers of Christmas throughout, from handmade ornaments to vintage housewares, to the little old snowman cookie cutter we scored for a dollar. Twinkle lights set off several small but fully decorated Christmas trees and tucked into corners were vintage evening bags, jewelry, baskets, old cookware, candlesticks and more all swathed in a delightful smell. Candles, I presume?
The shopkeepers were two very friendly but non-intrusive ladies and to be non-intrusive in a dorm room's worth of space is a feat. They were kind and helpful and complimented my owl ornament purchase, while also sliding in the fact that I am a basic B- and just picked out the very thing everyone is buying. (This is a joke, she did not mean it that way). Plus it is the prettiest thing you've ever seen so you'd grab it too.
One of the bonuses of these private thrift shops that take things seriously is the provision of tags on items, naming and dating them. It's an added comfort when you're used to bruising your fingertips on Google image trying to determine the decade something belongs to. It is all right there in front of you, history being shared in a way that is charming and curated, which is the energy of The Grange Estate overall.
We were a little late to tour the mansion, but snapped our photos and, as I never resist peering into a window, I was also able to spy a little bit of the holiday glamour as the workers closed down the main house. Through lace curtains I could see lovely old furniture flanked by luxurious Christmas decor. The sweeping front porch held a sleigh full of presents, a decorative Santa and a huge white horse. The estate offers tours on the weekends and Mondays, with certain dates including a Winterfest, Flute concert, Tree Lighting and vintage model trains in the old barn. You can't beat five bucks for adults a dollar for kids five and up, either.
As I mentioned earlier, the surrounding land and gardens are also worth the trip in warmer weather. And! they raise bees! So look for updates on those learning experiences once winter has passed and bring the family.
I tend to love anything house tour and, of course, anything vintage, but it means something to visit a place where care was put into the presentation. It encourages you to care too. And a vintage store that exceeds expectations and keeps it's prices reasonable too? I am sold. I will, for sure, be returning to scour this gift shop time and time again, digging for treasures and taking in the vintage views.
