Antiquing is a very community-oriented endeavor, whether you’re a customer on the hunt for something special or an entrepreneur peddling your wares.
Merry Feliz and Babe Evans, owners of Vintage Veranda Antiques and Mall in Old Town Orcutt, have been part of this old-is-new community for several years.
Feliz used to own Veranda, a nearby boutique, and both Evans and she worked for Bella’s Consignments at 255 Union Ave., where Vintage Veranda now resides.
“Most people come to the store because Babe and I are very, very customer-oriented,” Feliz told the Sun in a recent interview. “We try to spoil everyone.”
There’s also a strong sense of camaraderie among the owners of Santa Maria- and Orcutt-area antiques stores, and Vintage Veranda is a prime example of that culture.
Feliz said Wendy Steller of Déjà Vu Antique Mall at The Loading Dock encouraged Evans and her to open their own shop after Bella’s Consignments left town.
“She wants to make Orcutt more of a destination,” Feliz said.
The two stores often share vendors, and Vintage Veranda also has a space that belongs to Company’s Coming owner Marty Willey. The shop has about 20 vendors in all, and each of them brings something unique to the distressed, shabby-chic table, so to speak.
“We have everything; it’s awesome. I love it!” Feliz said.
There are hard-backed books, including obscure titles and literary classics; musical instruments and music composition books; porcelain dolls and other priceless collectibles; and furniture from a range of time periods.
This reporter spied a fun, old-timey sign that read, “High-class pool parlor—ladies welcome” that would fit perfectly in someone’s rec room.
Even the store’s checkout stand is unique: Feliz clipped out articles from old copies of the Santa Maria Times and decoupaged them all over the table.
“This one says someone found a 3 1/2-pound Pismo clam,” Feliz said as she pointed to a photo on the table. “We don’t even have Pismo clams anymore!”
The building in which Vintage Veranda is housed is an antique in its own right, too. It first served as the Orcutt Community Presbyterian Church and then it became a hardware store before heading in the consignment and antiques direction.
“Beverly, the woman who lives across the street, got married here. She likes to say she got married in the nuts and bolts section,” Feliz said.
But don’t worry—Feliz and Evans also sell new items if you’re not in the antiquing mood.
Vintage Veranda Antiques and Mall is located at 255 Union Ave. in Old Town Orcutt. It’s open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, call the store at 937-6767.
Managing Editor Amy Asman wrote this week’s Biz Spotlight. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
This article appears in Dec 19-26, 2013.