Uptown Antique Market
Where the Past Feels Like Home: Inside Uptown Antique Market
For many in Richland, the Uptown Shopping Center isn’t just a place to run errands—it’s a time capsule. Built in 1949 to serve the families of the Manhattan Project, it was one of the first car-oriented shopping centers in the United States. Today, walking its open-air breezeways feels like stepping into a living postcard of mid-century Americana.
And right in the heart of it, at 1365 George Washington Way, sits a shop that might just be the soul of the entire district: Uptown Antique Market.
For nearly eight years, owner Wendy has cultivated more than just a retail space; she has built what she calls a "happy place" for the community.
A Dream, Literally
Wendy’s journey to ownership sounds like something out of a movie script. Coming from a background in marketing and book publishing, she wasn’t actually looking for a career change. She was simply a mother killing time while her daughter took piano lessons nearby.
"I would just jump in and out of the stores," Wendy recalls. "I walked into that shop and the lady was looking for someone to work one day a week. I said, 'Pick me!'"
After working just four shifts, the previous owner offered to sell her the business. Wendy initially said no—three times, in fact. Ideally, she had no plans to run a large retail enterprise. But then came the dream.
"I just woke up in the night one night... and it was like: 'You should buy that store,'" she says. "Like, 'You should buy it, change the name, add your own vibe.'"
She took the leap, and nearly eight years later, Uptown Antique Market has become a staple of the Tri-Cities, voted "Best in the Tri" for antique and collectibles shop for the last four consecutive years.
The “Mothership” of Vintage
Walking into Uptown Antique Market is distinct from the cluttered, dusty stereotype of some antique shops. The vibe is curated, clean, and fiercely creative. The 30 vendors who rent space in the building are constantly hunting for high-quality vintage goods, meaning the inventory changes almost daily.
"If you see it, you better grab it 'cause it won't be there tomorrow," Wendy advises.
The shop has carved out several niches that draw people from all over the Pacific Northwest. Wendy proudly describes the store as "the mothership of doilies, hankies, and typewriters". But the variety goes far beyond linens.
- For the Collectors: The shop is known for Carnival and Depression glass, pottery, and vinyl records.
- "Mantiques": A popular section dedicated to old tools, trains, and knick-knacks that appeal to the guys who might otherwise wait in the car.
- For the Teens: Surprisingly, vintage clothing and t-shirts have become a massive draw for local teenagers seeking unique fashion that no mall can replicate.
- DIY & Local Goods: They carry the popular Fusion Mineral Paint for furniture flippers and local Angelbrook Farm honey.
Wendy says. "It's for everybody, our demographic is huge."
A “Hallmark Movie” Moment
The deep connection Richland has with this shop was tested in April of this year. Wendy’s landlord put the building up for sale, and for a moment, it looked like Uptown Antique Market would be forced to close its doors forever.
"I thought we were leaving," Wendy admits. "It was really a lot of stress... I had no control over what was gonna happen to the building."
What happened next was a testament to the business she had built. The community didn't just express sadness; they mobilized. People threatened to start a GoFundMe. Customers rallied. The outcry was so intense that it felt like the entire city was saying, No, you cannot take this away from us.
Then, in a twist Wendy describes as "like a Hallmark movie," a local gentleman stepped in, bought the building, and issued a new lease to keep them right where they belong.
"The whole community was just rallying like, 'No! You cannot leave! This is where we love to shop!'" Wendy says. "And here we are, We're still here."
More Than Just Stuff
Why did the community fight so hard for a store? Because Uptown Antique Market offers something you can't buy on Amazon: therapy.
Wendy and her team have intentionally cultivated an atmosphere that feels safe, welcoming, and warm. "I always tell people, 'If any shop could give you a hug, it's this one,'" she says.
Customers often come in just to wander, to "bump into their past," or to find a moment of peace. The shop has even been the site of three marriage engagements, a rare feat for a retail store.
This commitment to the customer experience hasn't gone unnoticed. In addition to their "Best in the Tri" awards, the shop was nominated by Visit Tri-Cities for Best Customer Service in the entire region this year.
"Our customer service is just phenomenal," Wendy says. "It is positive and everyone is welcome.”
Rooted in the Uptown Ecosystem
Uptown Antique Market thrives partly because it is embedded in the unique ecosystem of the Uptown Shopping Center. It’s a neighborhood where businesses support one another.
Wendy’s "backyard neighbor" is the acclaimed restaurant Dovetail Joint, and she is right next door to the historic Ray’s Golden Lion. The alleyways of the Uptown are becoming destinations in themselves, filled with vibrant murals including a new vintage postcard-style mural currently being painted on Wendy's building by local artist Joey Armstrong of Thunderhand Tattoo.
"You can spend the day there," Wendy notes. "There are eight vintage shops in the Uptown, and the food places to eat are incredible. It's a destination spot for sure."
How to Shop (and Sell)
Because the shop operates on a vendor model, Wendy does not take consignment. This avoids the "paperwork nightmare" and ensures that every booth is stocked by dedicated pickers who are constantly scouring estate sales and auctions for the best finds.
However, the "hunt" never stops for Wendy either. She is always looking for inventory to keep her own sections of the store fresh. While she doesn't do consignment, she does occasionally buy items outright from locals if they fit the shop's specific vintage aesthetic. "I get hit up all the time... They drive by and honk trying to sell me stuff!" she laughs. "Like 'Come look in my trunk!'"
The Future is Bright (and Vintage)
With the building secured and a new lease in hand, Wendy is looking forward to the future. She loves hosting events, such as the annual "May at the Market" and the massive "Uptown Christmas Vintage" event.
There are also whispers of a potential outdoor vintage market partnership on the horizon, where vendors would rally at a local farm for a large-scale event.
But for now, the focus remains on gratitude.
"I'm always so grateful," Wendy says. "We couldn't do it without the community. And we love the Uptown and they really love us."
The Verdict
In a world of fast fashion and disposable furniture, Uptown Antique Market stands as a fortress of quality and memory. It is a place where teenagers buy 1990s tees, grandmothers buy Victorian glass, and everyone leaves feeling a little lighter than when they walked in.
If you haven't visited recently, you should. Go for the antiques, stay for the nostalgia, and enjoy wonderful people that make up Uptown Antiques Market.
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