Whistle Stop

Whistlestop Junk Shop is an accurate description of my first thought when I walked in: junk. The first floor is piles of stuff, boxes of stuff, piles of boxes, with the nicer more breakable things in bookcases lining the walls. It can look off-​putting but if you’re willing to dig, you can find some awesome treasures at good prices. I was checking out the china teacups while B was digging through the hardware and car parts in the small side room.
The second floor is better organized and has books, records and music, kitchenware, home décor and clothes. B and another customer were amusing themselves by alternately testing a polka record on a gorgeous vintage stereo console, then bumping the local hip hop station on the console’s radio. I found some really cool antique clothes and hats, and some amazingly kitsch 80s new wave ceramic masks that had to be MINE!
If you’re into antiques, old stuff or just plain ol’ junk, shop Whistestop.

This is a wonderfully quirky 2-​story shop where you can find all kinds of treasures if you don’t mind rummaging around! The store owner is likewise wonderful — helpful and kind and as interesting as the shop! There are all different kinds of things, so you have to really go there to see what they stock, from furniture to knick-​knacks, tools and toys. The owner is also very honest about the wares and whether or not they are damaged, which I really appreciated. I bought a set of adorable 1950s Christmas bell/​angel figurines for just $ 2 apiece because one had a wing missing. A very unique find and an unbeatable price too.
Going here is an all-​around fun and unique experience and very much worth a trip to Auburn!

I like everything about this shop. I have found some great antiques and decorative items here. The prices are very affordable. The guy running the place is laid back and pleasant. Happy to help and give information. There is a lot to look at. From vintage paintings to scrap metal architectural items. Rare furniture, vintage porcelain, and random cool junk. Easy to get here right off the freeway in the heart of auburn. I stop by quite often.

I have some really fun things I have gotten over the years at the Whistle Stop: a favorite orange step stool with chippy paint that’s quite sturdy, a small green step stool for the kitchen that I can tuck away (from someone’s old house, no doubt), a nice rusty basin for seasonal flowers, old faucet handles made into a flower bouquet, an old typewriter Royal, old window with wavy glass. Things aren’t too expensive, and there is always the unexpected find. It’s easier to park on Nevada Street right before the shop than to park in front as far as ease of getting in and out.

I cannot tell a lie — I like junk. And I appreciate people who like junk. Not just any junk but cool stuff like old photos, funny hats, old Mad magazines, and neon mood adjusters. If you are a guy you would like looking through piles of tools that look like they are from your grandpa’s garage. This place is 2 stories of afternoon enjoyment. That is if you like junk. The guy who runs the place obviously has a passion for it. He does not pressure a sale but likes to see his customers have a good time just rummaging. When I leave The Whistle Stop I always feel like I have been gone a long time. Very relaxing. There are only 3 parking spaces in the front and looks like he got dinged by the ACS nazis because now one of them is a handicap — I wonder if he has any old blue tags in those old boxes?