A few weekends ago after Ryan and I visited the Cloverdale Flea Market, we decided to explore Cloverdale further and came across the MOTHERLOAD of all antique stores. This place is badass – like badass to the extreme. On the outside, it looks like a cutesy place with typical vintage wares. Inside, it’s heaven within four walls and I walked around with my mouth open wide enough that I would give any venus fly trap a run for their money.

When you first walk in, it seems like a pretty typical place. There were bubbly space aged televisions, retro stoves and a super cool looking vintage cash register. One of the coolest things I came across was a stack of old books of consolidated newspapers from The Vancouver Sun. They were sorted by year and had every single page in them including all original ads and comic strips ranging as far back as the 1930’s.

It’s difficult to tell how big this place is from the outside, but once you’re inside you realize how absolutely huge it is. There are tons of smaller rooms that they’ve sectioned off to group themes of things. It seems like a lot of the items are also from movie sets and old advertising memorabilia. After being to so many flea markets, vintage shops and thrift stores, it’s hard for me to see something and say, “OMGSOCOOLIWANT.”

Everything in this place made me say that!!

I love the collection of old tins on the shelf. I’m not totally sure what they are or what they used to hold.

One thing I do have a soft spot for is vintage advertising. Anytime I see a box of ads for sale I always navigate my way towards them and stand there sifting through them all, usually chuckling at the hilarious one-liners. I especially love these old vintage cardboard cutout ads.

Vintage jukebox anyone? How about an old-school drink dispenser or a room full of stuffed animal heads?

I must share these next few rooms with you – the Coca Cola/Pepsi Cola/Soft Drink room. I’ve never in my life seen so many Coca Cola advertising pieces in one place at the same time – EVER. It felt like a trip down cola memory lane. It was also pretty neat to see the evolution of the logos over the decades.

If you’re ever in the area (or why not just make a trip out to this place) – definitely check it out. You’ll be glad you did.

Red Barn Antiques
5553 176 Street
Surrey, BC V3S 4C2
(604) 576-8737