Tacoma Antique Center

Nice spacious place with a wide variety of items and decent parking. Prices obviously vary. Always seem to be a bit under staffed though.

I came in to look for a specific picture. When I described it to front desk they looked at me like I had two heads and I was told I’d have to look for it.
I was in the store for a couple of hours. Someone came up to me and asked if I needed help but got directly in my face to see what I was doing. I was then followed around the store twice like I was stealing things. I have shorts on… And no purse.
I didn’t see much of a variety. I definitely prefer South Tacoma Antiques.
I probably won’t be returning here.

Huge selection of mostly smalls not a lot of furniture here, but that’s fine with me!
Very clean and organized except for one grouchy old dude, very friendly service. You’ll find old trains and automotive items, tons of glass and interesting old collectables.
If you like antiques, this is a can’t miss.
Warning, if it’s a hot day, the shop, will be pretty hot, no air.

It’s fun. I can spend hours here just looking and imagining the lives that once surrounded the objects on display. It’s great to imagine the life of the well seasoned Wagner skillets. If you are looking for something and can’t find it. Ask someone, they will walk you to the farthest corner of the store and show you exactly what you were looking for. Cast iron stoves, wooden stools, old Pyrex … it’s all here! Of course, if «grandmother’s basement» sounds boring to you … you shouldn’t be in an antique mall, but a regular mall. Like the Tacoma one perhaps. ;) I can look at the old stuff forever.

After visiting another antique mall in the area, a friend and I decided — last minute — to visit the Tacoma Antique Center. Wow. Great layout. The vendors (most of them) merchandise to sell. And the variety of items is great. I ended up spending a bit of money on things I couldn’t find at the «other place».
Many antique malls have that «trashy» feeling — more like a flea market/​garage sale. Not this one.
Pencil/​paper available to take around so you can write down ideas and keep track of items you might want. Baskets for easy shopping. And great customer service.

Some decent finds on discount days, very neat and organized and always some new stuff.

This is your typical antique mall where different sellers rent spaces so you can pretty much find anything here. Great selections of really old to just collectible stuff. But, because each booth is independently owned the prices are all over the board. So much of the stuff is waaaaaay over-​priced. And, believe it or not, some were under-​priced. (Too bad we didn’t want any of those items.) We did find a reasonably priced 3-​flute lamp, handmade doilies, and some jewelry. There was a large antique stand-​on scale from a drugstore that I would have bought had I a way to get it back to SoCal. (Maybe next time we’ll drive up and see if it’s still available.) Some of the booths are so cluttered you can’t see anything, but most are fairly well organized. Huge store — nice way to kill a couple of hours and possibly pick up a few things as long as you watch the prices.
BTW: There is a new consignment store in nearby Sumner called Plum Crazy. We stopped by their grand opening at the end of June and their prices were incredible! Mostly indoor/​outdoor furniture, housewares and garden items. Hidden behind the carwash, but definitely worth checking out.

Great selection of vendors and items!!! However, the staff that manages the center for the vendors could really work on their customer relations skills. I walked up and mentioned that I liked a vase that was marked $ 38. I’d purchase it, if they would call the vendor to see if he/​she would come down on the price a bit. (I would have walked out with it for $ 30 – 32.) But, they wouldn’t even call!!! I felt like I also received a look like «what are you that cheap?» when I asked.
Ultimately, I *might* go back IF I can’t locate another store with as much inventory. If I do though, this place can suck it.
Too bad for the vendors… I love buying antique pieces and was looking for new bedroom furniture and a chandelier.

They lately have had some really great spaces, even decorated for the different holidays! I just bought a big piece and did the 3 mth payment plan, which was really nice since I found it at Christmas.

It’s clean, well managed and you can make a deal. The manager, Richard will work with you and does he know his stuff. Whenever I am looking for that little special platter or rug, I go here. The prices are much better than at the Pyuallup antique fair. I love this little gem.

It’s an antique mall so there are good and bad spots in it. Great selection of about anything that you could want. I recently bought a Violet Ray machine for a great price and some Great vintage glassware. Some booths were very over-​priced while others just had junk that didn’t belong in an antique shop (new reproduction crap that was overpriced) but if you look through the whole place you are sure to find a treasure. The staff has been attentive every time I’ve been there but I’m sure that any shop can have an off day. Parking was ample in the lot and it’s easy I-​5 access

We recently visited this large antique mall for the first time since it changed names and ownership to the Tacoma Antique Center and taken over by Richard Mirau. (The former mall under Twice Told Tales ownership was frankly stale with not much quality inside.) We heard the mall had changed hands so we were curious to see what it was like now.
We were delighted to see that the mall was packed with plenty of fresh stock and contained an interesting variety of antique merchandise from smalls to larger furniture items. Some of the same dealer booths were seen but also lots of new dealers have been added it appeared. The cases were packed full of interesting treasures. Lots to look at in thus huge mall but that leads me to my next point.
We weren’t too keen on the customer service provided at the mall. We walked in and didn’t get even a nod from the hoard of workers clustered around the front counter talking away amongst themselves. As we walked through the mall we saw no employees roaming the isles and asking if we’d like to see something in a case and spend our money there.
While browsing I noticed another lady in the isle looking like an employee so I asked her if she worked here. She said «No… but I would like to know who does because I’s like to see something.» I was in the same boat. My expensive treasure was locked inside a case. Where are all those the employees I saw when I walked in? — I want to see something in a locked case.
I hiked back to the front desk to get assistance only to find the employees deep in a conversation that I was clearly interupting for some customer service. One worker agreed to help me while the other gal sitting down gave me a very very dirty look since I had just interupted her social hour in mid stream. What a cold feeling.
Granted it’s a nice antique mall but Richard needs to kick it up a few notches and have a review sessions with the employees on providing top quality customer service to capture all potential sales. Skip the standoffish social hours at the front counter and help the customers find the treasures they are looking for.
I guess I shouldn’t complain too much. On a subsequent visit I bought a small art pottery vase for $ 7.50 and resold it on Ebay for $ 250. That will keep me coming back.