Larchmont Becoming The Place for Antiques & Collectibles

by Judy Silberstein

(October 29, 2003) Larchmont and Mamaroneck have become “the” place to shop for antiques and collectibles on this side of the County, according to the Westchester County Department of Tourism. Their “Westchester Way” brochure and map shows antiques stores clustered along the Boston Post Road in the Village of Larchmont and in the Village and Town of Mamaroneck. Only the Tarrytown area on the Hudson side has a similar concentration of antique shops.

“We’re delighted that antiques have become a niche in Westchester,” said the County’s Deputy Director of Tourism Kim Boggi. “It’s a tourism draw.”

The brochure lists a variety of antiques businesses including retail shops and auction houses, and the antique offerings range from tiny pieces of jewelry or silver to massive pieces of art or furniture. The price tags also range from tiny to impressive.

Shoppers overwhelmed by the choice can find support from a decorator or an antique specialist – commodities also found in Larchmont. The Antiques Brokerage House, run by Larchmonter Helen Kippax since 1986, assists collectors in finding exactly what they need. “At one of my Larchmont haunts, I found a wonderful 18th century cutlery box for my own collection,” said Kippax. (See: the Antiques in the Gazette Directory)

“People in Larchmont love to decorate their homes with antiques and collectibles,” said Carol Charny. When I decided to open my shop (Carol E. Charny Vintage) two years ago I felt Larchmont was the perfect spot.”

“Our end of Palmer Avenue is becoming quite exciting,” she commented. “Larchmont is becoming a decorating destination.” In addition to antiques stores, there are art galleries, home furnishing stores, and numerous businesses selling paint, fabrics, lighting, hardware and otherwise catering to home improvement.

“People do care a lot to fix up their homes to make them presentable to others and comfortable for themselves,” said Interior Shop owner Ira Kriegel, who has been in Larchmont since 1972.

The Westchester County brochure shows the following locations. For further details, see: Westchester Way. As of this writing, Woolf’s Den Antiques is in liquidation due to the death of proprietor David Woolf in June.

  6 – Arti-Antiques
15 – Briggs House Antiques
16 – Chatsworth Auction Rooms
19 – Designer’s Corner
20 – Dualities Antiques
26 – Milestone Antiques & Collectibles
30 – Post Road Gallery
41 – Thomas K. Salese Antiques