Vicki’s Antiques & Fine Art

Do not enter this place — repeat do not enter!!! If I could give negative stars I would. The woman who owns (or works here), is certifiably crazy but most of all extremely rude and mean. I have driven by a zillion times and it always looked rather junkie on the outside but I happened to be walking my 9 month old son so I decided to check it out (being a big antique fan). I had a hard time getting my stroller through the door and for a minute I thought no one was working because it was super dark and usually someone is more helpful. I walked into a very unorganized dust pit. There was a woman with bright dyed orange hair and blue eyeshadow loudly talking on her phone. She did not even look up or greet me. It was as if I did not exist. She was having the most awful conversation about her sad life and how she has «no one.» She also discussed some disgusting thing about someone contracting something in a jacuzzi. I should have walked out right then but I was killing time and my phone rang. Normally I might have waited to answer but she was talking so loud I didn’t think it mattered. I also was hoping to drain out her negative conversation. Within seconds of me being on the phone she abruptly asked me if I needed help. I said no thanks. She then asked me to talk on my phone outside. I was floored. I then told her that most business owners greet their guests and that I could not believe she was telling me to get off my phone after I just had to listen to her talk for over 5 mins. She said it’s my store. She immediately told me to, «get out of her store.» Then — here’s the best part, she told me I was too skinny. Meanwhile I’m completely average for my height. I was shocked. I had my 9 month old in a stroller. As I walked out I told her I would never in my life be back nor would anyone I know. It’s very apparent she has no business — I’ve never seen a single person in there. She proceeded to call me anorexic! Who says that?! What if I really did have a disorder or a disease. That’s a horrendous thing to say to a stranger. What kind of human does that? Clearly a miserable lonely one. This woman is low rent and the store is absolute trash. I have no idea how it’s still there. Worst energy…

I was excited to stop in here and browse. There was only one employee there and another woman sitting in there and they were just talking. While browsing, I had a patient of mine on the phone that needed to talk. She asked me a few times if I needed help and I told her I was just looking. I did have some items in mind already that I Wanted to purchase. She asked me again and said you’re on the phone. I said I realize that, but yippie sitting on your butt talking. You’re doing the same thing. I have been there before with my mom and made purchases, but I will never again go there. She was not nice. I don’t care of she the owner she was out of line because she wasn’t doing any work. I heard part of her conversation and she was talking about someone who comes on there and she’s just a tree. I love to shop, but you will never see a dollar from me again.

Bought a gorgeous silver serving platter for my boyfriend for our anniversary. I searched all over and couldn’t find a piece that even came close, and at a price that couldn’t be beaten. Vicki was friendly, helpful, and even recommended a repairman for my recently broken antique chair.
I think this will be my go-​to for unique gifts and antiques from now on.

Vicki has a great selection of fine art and costume jewelry, as well as many other antique and vintage treasures. I walked away with a fabulous art deco lamp, for which she provided a bit of history. She is knowledgeable about antiques and art, shares the history of some pieces, and is willing to give a customer a closer look at items. I appreciated her low-​pressure sales technique. She answered all of my questions and gave me space to shop as desired. I will definitely return to this lovely store. It’s a gem!

I was driving by on my way home to Seal Beach and I had some time to kill, so I stopped and went in. Vicky greeted me as I walked in and asked if I needed any help. I told her I was just passing through and on a whim stopped. She let me browse without any interruption and when I got back to the front of the store we started small talking. I found two urns that I was interested in and she whipped out her legal pad and gave me the history of them and the price. I told her that I couldn’t afford that much right now and that I would have to wait for payday. She offered layaway, which I jumped on. I will shop at her store from now. How many stores can you go into these days and they have the history of the inventory? I loved that.

I went to this place looking for antique suitcases. I live 3 blocks from here and decided this would be a great place to look. When I walked in, Vicki, the store owner was on the phone, and didn’t bother to get off it. I approached her anyway, and asked if she had any suitcases. The first thing out of her mouth was «I do but they are really expensive, like $ 1800.00 expensive.» In a voice that assumed that I never had a dime on me. Upon looking over the suitcases, they were beautiful, but they were pretty banged up, handles broken, latches didn’t fit together anymore due to damage, and for $ 1800, they would have needed quite a bit of work. She had them tucked back in a corner, with stuff draped over them, and I couldn’t get a good look at them, so one would assume, there was more damage under the drapery. As I was leaving the store, she finally got off the phone (the phone call was clearly personal, as she was doing the gossip voice) and I asked her about the suitcases, she said «well they were owned by a famous actress, and you probably don’t know who it is.» Granted, I will give it to her, I had no idea who the actress was and I am a huge history buff, so she couldn’t have been that famous…
It was a nice store, but the woman sure made quite a few judgments of my character in a short period of time. I will not be returning.

Honestly, I don’t see what everyone else is seeing in this place. Maybe the jewelry is nice, but the pricing on furniture and miscellaneous items is EXTREMELY high and some of the items are NOT antiques, but priced on the high-​end of the antique spectrum. $ 195 for a small, simple wrought iron piece doesn’t make much sense in my mind. I’m curious as to how this place stays in business based on their pricing. Subtract $ 100 off of every item and it would be worth it and I think this business would thrive.

I went to Vicki’s on the recommendation here on Unilocal and I was not disappointed. She has a great collection which the other reviewer hits upon. I love antique jewlery and Vicki was very knowledgable and helpful. She was very happy to bring out pieces for a closer inspection without complaint. Prices were good — I got a set of marquisite necklace with a chalcedony stone and earrings for about $ 100. I could go to a department store and spend more on something everyone has seen, or come to Vicki and get something unique. I choose Vicki’s.

I spent an hour here and hadn’t planned to. Although this fascinating shop is in my immediate neighborhood, I have driven by without stopping countless times. Miss Vicki, the owner, wasn’t there today, but I was told of her love for fine art as well as antiques and collectibles. The art was, in fact, what drew me in. I especially like works by local artist Mike Rivera, who does abstract figures & landscapes that I would consider buying. There are paintings from the 19^th century too… a fine collection overall, with most in the $ 500‑2000 range. Vicki even has a little frame shop in the back to make things really convenient. The antiques are mostly small pieces, even the furniture… the shop itself is not large. There are vintage chandeliers, glassware (the most incredible depression glass fishbowl), and an extensive jewelry display… mostly 40’s, 50’s and 60’s — my cup of tea. If I had the space, the funds and the inclination, I could spend a lot of money in here. If you are in the area, this shop is definitely worth a visit. It’s a perfect place to find a gift. I can’t imagine what took me so long to get in here.