Thrifting Around Town: Ontario Mall Antiques

A new friend asked me help her find a large mirror at a nearby antique mall. I’d never been to this particular place, so I agreed. I want to know all the good places around town to find hidden treasures!

“If we are going to be friends” I warned her, “I need to tell you upfront that I don’t like to drive.” She grinned, “No worries! I was planning on driving!” (Whew…we can be friends.)

Leslie and I met at a Christmas party last December. Another interpreter, Jen, was holding a gorgeously plump sleeping baby and Leslie was sitting next to her. I was drawn to the baby. It’s so hard not to touch the sweet little things, but I’m a mom and I know to keep hands off. However, I bet when I’m an old lady I will have forgotten this little rule and I’ll be touching all the babies in the grocery store.

I started chatting it up with Jen (because she was holding that darling baby) and she introduced me to the baby’s mama, Leslie. “How do you two NOT know each other? “ Jen asked. Leslie and I looked at each other, smiled and shook our heads. Nope. We’ve never worked together, never seen each other before. “You two should be friends!” Jen exclaimed. We proceeded to spend most of the night talking away, noting the friends we have in common, deaf husbands, bi-lingual kids. It really *is* amazing that we haven’t met before the Christmas party.

A month or so later, our friend Jen passed away after a long fight with breast cancer. It is hard to talk about her being gone, but the last thing she said to me was “You two should be friends.” I’m going to take her suggestion and think of her every time I see my new friend.

The Ontario Antiques Mall is a huge building that claims to have one thousand vendors. It’s a bit overwhelming, to tell the truth, but that’s the kind of place that will have hidden treasures, particularly for collectors. There are a few vendors that have awesome and unique furniture, some with old quilts and vintage clothes, hankies. Honestly, when I think back to our visit, I just remember aisle after aisle of junk, junk, junk.

That particular day I was drawn to linens, and came home with a sequined shawl, dresser scarf and pillow cover for under $15. Fun little finds for me.

Leslie found exactly what she was looking for on the last aisle. We were about to give up and get some iced coffee for our ride home, when her eye caught part of a mirror leaning against an old chest. We measured, re-measured, sent pictures to her husband, called her mom and did a little jig at finding the perfect bathroom mirror.

We took exactly one picture of our grand adventure: The mirror. ( Leslie with the yellow socks, and me with the Harley Davidson leather boots. Ha.)