Every time I am fortunate enough to find myself in Centralia’s beautifully historic downtown, I notice an odd phenomenon. Unlike so many American downtowns, Centralia’s is bustling with activity. On any given day, I notice groups of women walking the streets, bulging shopping bags in hand, men inspecting vintage furniture through shop windows and several people just gabbing on the corner.
I was curious as to what drew these individuals downtown, so I set out to explore for myself. What I found was not simply quaint shops and amenities, but a bounty of one specific kind of retail venue – thrift shops. Downtown Centralia has the market cornered on phenomenal thrift, vintage and artistically re-vamped clothing, décor and other items, all showcased within beautifully historic buildings. Interspersed throughout are several delicious restaurants, sure to keep you refueled for a leisurely day of browsing, bargaining and buying.
In order to make your experience even easier, we’ve highlighted several can’t-miss downtown businesses below. Read on for the highlights of downtown Centralia’s extraordinary thrift shopping experience.
A Plethora of Antiques
You will be delighted by Ayala Brothers’s artistically arranged displays and their artfully refurnished furniture. If you like homey signage – this is a great place for you.
Black Dog Vintage is filled with a variety of delightful odds and ends. You’re sure to find several treasures here including, in my experience, some exceptional historical items.
I love Centralia Square Antiques for their wide variety of glass and tableware. There is something simply enchanting about an antique ceramic vase or intricately painted porcelain plate. I also saw the most appealing traveler’s trunk here once.
Landlord’s Daughter is a more open shopping experience which has lots of great antique furniture.
Madly Eclectic is where vintage meets art. This shop is full of antique items that have been transformed into a variety of fun, humorous and beautiful works of art.
Across the Street Antiques is everything good about antique shopping. The shop has lots of treasures to dig into, yet everything is artfully displayed for your browsing pleasure.
If you like re-made vintage, Prim Rose Primitives will delight you. Here you can find everything from re-purposed cloth handbags to refurbished furniture, to rustic décor. There are also plenty of brand new items thrown into the mix. Their goods are so high-quality, it’s often hard to tell what is re-done and what is new.
Simply Collectibles is, in a word, everything. I am constantly overwhelmed by the bounty of this store and always thrilled to explore it.
Slusher’s Rare Coins is a coin collector’s or military paraphernalia aficionado’s paradise.
Attic Door Vintiques is just what the name suggests – vintage meets antique, all fixed-up, polished and shined, and ready for you to take home.
Timeless Treasures is another wonderful antique shop that is always bursting with new treasures. Plus, they have espresso. Sip while you shop!
Don’t Forget Clothes, Books Collectables and More!
There is nothing I love more than a good used book shop. I don’t know if it’s the academic smell, the beauty of so many bound volumes of knowledge or simply the knowledge that I can afford to take home pretty much anything I want, but I love every minute. Fortunately, downtown Centralia has both ABC Books and Tillicum Books – both wonderful places to lose yourself for an hour or three.
Whether you are shopping Doria’s or Gracie’s Boutique, Downtown Centralia has a plethora of great options for gently used clothes. And be sure to check out The Shady Lady. This unique spot has amazing finds and a fascinating history. For decades, the second level of many downtown Centralia buildings was home to a series of brothels. The owner of The Shady Lady has restored the bordello above the shop as an homage, of sorts, to the women who worked there.
Take a detour down Main Street and stop into Central Glass Works. While this isn’t a thrift shop, it is full of breathtakingly beautiful works of art. They also usually have a special with something unique on sale.
Downtown Centralia is also home to several delightfully artistic shops that sell gifts and collectables. Be sure to visit Fruffels and Tower Trading Co. Then there’s Hubbub – the perfect place to get toys and educational items for the special children in your life. With all its bright colors and artistic items, this store is a delight to explore. Be sure to stop into the Rectangle Gallery and enjoy the beautiful art as well. There’s always something amazing to see and this stop is not to be missed.
I love to finish my shopping trips at The Station Coffee Bar where I can fill up on some delicious food or just refill my energy with a hot cup of Joe. The shop itself is warm, comfortable and spacious enough to accommodate lots of shopping bags.
If you’re looking to spend an enjoyable day discovering a bounty of treasures at an affordable price, downtown Centralia is the place for you. Be sure to stop by and experience it for yourself the next time you’re in town. Happy thrifting!
