Lorain Avenue antiquing

We've been searching for vintage industrial caster wheels to go on an industrial console table we made in the Fall (a post on this soon to come) for awhile now. We've looked extensively online and have made several trips to antique shops in search of these elusive casters. On Sunday we drove up to Lorain Ave. in Cleveland (a well known antiquing area of the city) hoping we'd get lucky this time. You'd think they'd be super easy to find in this area. I mean, where else would you expect to find rusty industrial remnants and cast offs from the long gone industrial age but in Cleveland?

Our first stop was at Antique Arcade/Antiques in the Bank, an antique furniture and architectural salvage shop. It completely blew our minds how much stuff was packed into the two story shop. Every inch of floor space, wall space and even the ceiling was covered with hardware, banisters, floor grates, doors, stained glass windows and anything else you could think of. So cool! 

We found several bins of old casters but they were all much too small (we're looking for 4 or 5 inch ones). We did find a set of industrial pocket door wheels that we thought might work so we bought those for $20. The store was so amazing and definitely someplace we'll keep in mind when putting together any future projects.

An aisle of antique door knob plates and door knobs.

 

Old heater/vent grates. Love these but couldn't figure out

what to do with them.

Door and chairs everywhere!

Along the way we came across Suite Lorain. A 50's diner looking building from the outside, inside it harbors mid-century modern furniture and in the back you'll find...

70's!

...a huge selection of vintage clothing! When I walked back into the clothing section I literally gasped out loud! I could not believe the amount of vintage clothing. I walked up and down the aisles, taking it all in and then settled down into a rack labeled Couture. Diane Von Furstenburg, Lanvin, St. John... amazing labels.

Unfortunately, it was already 3 pm and we hadn't even had lunch yet. I was starving and weak from hunger so we had to cut the visit short. But I will definitely be going back to peruse every inch of that place and add some fab pieces to my vintage dress collection!

Racks and racks of vintage goodies!

The vintage hat and bag section.

After visiting several more shops we walked away empty handed but not disheartened! We ended up  getting a great lead on where to buy new industrial but somewhat vintage looking casters from the owners at Antique Revival, a shop that showcases industrial and architectural pieces for the home. Ultimately, I think we're going to end up purchasing new casters and then have to figure out some way to age and antique them.