Eighth & Main Antique Center

Well, let me say that this is the antique store that get’s Chico New & Review’s Reader’s BEST OF CHICO for years and years in a row! Don’t miss out on a HUGE store with thousands of items to buy.
Her’s the article from 2013:
«The iconic Eighth & Main Antique Center in the SOPO (south of the post office) neighborhood just south of downtown offers countless intriguing items from the collections of hundreds of vendors. It’s easy to spend an entire afternoon poking around at all the fascinating wares on offer at this jam-​packed, multi-​building venue – from dozens of pairs of vintage cowboy boots and beautiful antique furniture, to collectable dolls and toys, to old postcards and black-​and-​white photographs perfect for the creative crafter or the collector.»
Not much parking around the store, but well worth a few blocks walk! Oh,…and after a long afternoon of snooping around the store, you can stop around the corner for a great ice cream cone from Shubert’s!

This place is magical. I’ve never been anywhere like it! Two buildings, 2 floors, with tons of antique collections. They had great vintage furniture and I left with a really cool dresser. There is something for everyone here, and there’s so much to explore that you can make a day out of it! The employees were also very helpful and pleasant as they loaded my very large and heavy dresser for me. I will definitely be back next time I’m in the area!

Very nice place with lots of treasures. I bought an old ice cream tub as a photo prop and I think it was well priced compared to competitors.
Don’t miss the alley and the building out back. Tons if boots out in the back building if you’re lookin for some.

Can’t wait to be back in the area so I can shop here again! There are 2 buildings. You don’t want to miss the one in the back. The day we were there it was HOT. I would have liked to have styed longer in the back building, as there was a kot to look at, but there was no air conditioning. I still managed to find several treasures

I love this store and spend hours just walking around looking at all the things. Some of the spaces can be quite pricy though. I usually end up with a few trinkets but can’t really afford anything big.

This store is a treasure hunt in the making, a friend and I spent almost 2 hours browsing and we both enjoyed it thoroughly.
I’m an avid Pinterest-​er and was looking for skeleton keys for a Skeleton Key Wind chime I have my heart set on making. The staff I approached went beyond my expectations and helped me find all the pieces I needed for my project. Thank you!
We’ve decided to make it a monthly venture, after Saturday Farmers Market and coffee we will spend our afternoon hunting for that perfect something.

Great place to find just about anything. Prices are sometimes negotiable just ask.

I have several items on consignment there. The owner is never available to talk to on the phone, and he doesn’t return phone calls. I would not recommend putting anything on consignment.

This place is WAY, WAY, WAY too expensive!
I’ve been here on many occasions because they have so many things and it is fun to window shop on a lazy Sunday but because they’re prices are so outrageous I haven’t been back in a while. I’m a wheeler and dealer and so on the days I have actually wanted to buy something from them I’ve attempted to do just that. NOT ONCE HAS ANYONE TAKEN ME UP ON MY OFFERS! I haven’t tried to swindle anyone out of anything. Usually when someone tries to negotiate a lower price a back-​and-​forth begins leading both parties to a reasonable price both can agree upon. Not this place! They won’t even toy with the idea. At this point, Eight and Main could have made a pretty penny on me. Alas…

I think the people who have left the previous reviews are focusing on one negative aspect of their experiences, and ignoring all the neat things about this place. I like the open, high ceilings, the variety of booths, the good prices (by Bay Area standards) and the fact that the staff stay out of my way until I make my selection. No pressure to buy and the atmosphere is light and airy. It doesn’t have a ton of really old stuff, but I’m not a snob about the age of things. I drive from Berkeley to come to this place, and I love it. This same company’s other location is worth a look too.

I called the store today. RUDE!!!
Last night I walked pasted the window; headed from dinner at Leon Bistro (YUM!). I Loved the look of an Armiore with mirrored fron I’ve been searching for one for 4 months– waiting for the right one! No cookie cutter for me. Store closes at 5pm; it would be very difficult to get to the store before then; if it weren’t for work. Called to check price– see if worth my time to check out. The older lady replied;: I don’t know I am not standing in front of it; plus, I am busy with a customer. Really?! What would I be I thought?! I was astonished/​taken back. I stuttered/​choaked and said ok.
THEY WILL NOT BE GETTING MY MONEY… SHOCKS

This is actually a cooperative of several, individually-​owned booths. I hate to say it, but very little in here is older than the 1960s. My mom and I were here and she saw a sewing box identical to hers. Not exactly antique. But a fun place to browse. Of course, nothing in here claims to be older than it is, and of course, there are some older items, but don’t expect a great deal, or an Antiques Roadshow moment (which I am proud to say I appeared on when they were in SF). I used to appraise art and antiques, so I know a thing or two about this.
Note: Three stars from me is an average rating