on location: northeast ❖
kari kamin
Ant quing IN CONNECTICUT
P
ostcards and keychains are great kitschy souvenirs, but before you know it they’re
cluttering your junk drawer. On your next swing through New England, visit Connecticut to peruse the charming, often elegant antique stores that
Make time for shopping in historic towns on itineraries in Southern New England
grim, 18th and early 19th century Americana as well as other works of art and craftsmanship. Schwenke (schwenke.com) and Country Loft Antiques (countryloftantiques.com) are also premium Woodbury shops worth a look. In business for over 40 years,
are peppered throughout the Constitu-
and around Main Street. For a look at
Schwenke uses that experience to cre-
tion State. Whether seeking the perfect
what’s available, check the website of
ate historically-accurate replicas of Amer-
piece to accent a room or just needing a
the Woodbury Antiques Dealers Associ-
ican Federal furniture. Country Loft
timeless gift, you’ll have plenty to choose
ation (antiqueswoodbury.com).
Antiques and its proprietor, Carole Winer,
from in the state’s many antique stores.
Woodbury’s Mill House Antiques and
have been featured in numerous publi-
Even if you’re not there to buy, it’s just fun
Gardens
to browse through old things and wax
specializes in 18th and 19th century an-
Not every antique belongs on the
nostalgic.
tiques, and also offers custom-crafted
wall or displayed in a room. Litchfield’s
(millhouseantiques-ct.com)
cations, including The New York Times.
Woodbury, nestled in the scenic hills
furniture. It’s easy to get lost in one of the
Lawrence
of Litchfield County, is the “Antiques
store’s 17 showrooms. Wayne Mattox
(lawrencejeffrey.com) has a wide selec-
Capital of Connecticut.” Located on the
Antiques and Auctions (antiquetalk.com)
tion of antique and fine estate jewelry.
state’s western side, about 75 miles from
is owned by a second-generation an-
Impress your friends and family with
New York City, it has more than 30 pro-
tiques enthusiast and shop owner. You’ll
a beautiful brooch or
fessional dealers offering virtually all cat-
find pieces like trade signs, paintings,
Jeffrey Tillou Antiques (tillouantiques-
egories, periods and styles of antiques.
prints and furniture.
.com), also in Litchfield, has collected
Jeffrey
Estate
Jewelers
set of pearls.
The town’s reputation began some 50
If that doesn’t trip your trigger, head
such pieces as a Queen Anne armchair,
years ago when dealers established
over to Pantry and Hearth (pantryand-
Federal mirrors and Chippendale chests.
their businesses in historic houses on
hearth.com). This shop specializes in Pil-
Other great antiquing towns in North-
Western Connecticut CVB Photos
Mill House Antiques (left) and Wayne Mattox Antiques are among the distinguished purveyors in Woodbury, the “Antiques Capital of Connecticut.”
34 February 2012
LeisureGroupTravel.com