It feels like every time I step out of my apartment, I have to spend $60 to do, well, anything. Whether it’s grabbing coffee, running errands, or just existing in the world, it seems like the price of leaving the house is getting steeper every day. I always feel a little bit better if I buy something that is unique, one of a kind, or made to last. There’s something comforting in knowing that your money went toward something special—something with a story.
Most people in my generation have been thrifting, and while, yes—it is exhilarating to get a fabulous thrift find, it can also take hours of sorting through random tidbits of another person’s excess. You need patience, and you need luck. However, there are places that take the guesswork out of it—curating the best vintage and thrifted items so you can spend less time digging and more time discovering.
Enter: the antique malls.
In Des Moines, you’ll find vintage sections in most of our family-run stores, but for me, two places stand out: Funky Finds, located in downtown Des Moines, and The Picker Knows on Grand Avenue.
Funky Finds is a small business packed with charm and loads of vintage clothes, home goods, records, books, and a delectable selection of cooking wares. It spans two floors, each full of personality, and any vintage fanatic can find a trinket or treasure to keep them happy until their next purchasing adventure. Even if you’re just browsing, it feels like a tiny time machine of tastefully preserved nostalgia.
The Picker Knows is a sprawling mall with booths rented out by antique dealers, each one with its own flair. One of my favorite booths is The Awkward Vintage Co.—where you might find a wild rattan seating set, a 1970s tweed circle skirt, and a lava lamp all in one spot. It’s the perfect mix of quirky, stylish, and conversation-starting pieces.
So, if you’re looking to shop small, shop smart, and come home with something everyone cool will comment on, these two local spots are well worth the trip.
