Spotlight on Downtown Novato: Sentimental Journey

It’s easy to dismiss Sentimental Journey as just another antique store filled with other people’s junk.

Old magazines, records, vintage jewelry, paintings, clothing and miscellaneous bric-a-brac like 7-Up bottles from the ‘50s all compete for space at the downtown store.

But if you look closer you’ll see that what initially looks like the contents of grandma’s garage is actually a well-curated shop of treasures.

Some, like the rabbit-fur white coat, Japanese statuettes, porcelain chicken salt and pepper shakers, are wonderfully impractical. Others, like dressers, tables, chairs and vintage kitchen sets, actually lure business away from IKEA and Macy’s, according to Pepe Junek, one of the 18 vendors who sell at the antique collective.

“With a down economy, people would rather come here and buy a dresser than spend a lot of money on a new one,” Junek said. “Consignment is a very good idea because it promotes recycling.”

Sentimental Journey is owned by Lance Swanson and has been a part of downtown Novato for at least 20 years, according to Kathy Wilkerson, the store manager. (Swanson was out of town and not available for an interview.)

The shop takes in items on consignment, offering 60 percent back to the customer if it’s sold. It’s also a great place to find antiques from Novato’s olden days, such as decorative wooden carts, old signs and household items such as a teal 1954 Tropicana dinner set.

If vintage duds are your thing, Sentimental Journey has that too, including a strapless tulle wedding dress, decorated with silver sparkles and worn with long white gloves. (Note: Narrow waist required.)

"We have something for everyone,” said Wilkerson.

Sentimental Journey is located at 902 Grant Ave. and is open Tuesday-Saturday. To sell items, email UrbanTrash@comcast.net or call 415-892-0640

Have you been to Sentimental Journeys?