Dagsboro Antique Center offers up a slice of the past

In April, Dagsboro Antique Center celebrated a decade in business, although that didn’t come as a surprise for the many of “regulars” that have been shopping there since the beginning. To those who stop and shop and then remark about how they didn’t know it was there, it’s a first-time visit, but for many, it’s a staple shop to visit while they are in town.

Coastal Point • Shaun Lambert
This is just one of the many nooks displaying antiques and collectibles at the Dagsboro Antiques Center.

“We see the same people every summer,” said shop manager Linda Altman. “They make it a point to stop, and they leave and say, ‘See you next year!’ And then others say they didn’t know we were here, which is interesting, because we have been here 10 years.”

The store — which for locals holds memories of being a bowling alley downstairs and a pool hall upstairs — now is home to all sorts of antiques and collectibles. Altman said that’s the fun of shopping for antiques: You never know what you might find.

“You need to grab it while you can,” she remarked, “but you are not going to see it twice. And if you do, you lucked out!”

Sherrie Griffiths, who also works at the store, added that that is part of the fun for them as employees, as well. “You never know what is going to come through that door at any time,” she said.

“We try to keep the quality to a certain degree,” said Altman, emphasizing, “We are not a thrift store, or a yard or garage sale.”

Karey Sperbeck, an avid antiquer, said she loves to visit Dagsboro Antiques because it is always so clean and organized. “And they have something for every pocketbook, and you can’t beat the parking!”

Vendors with all types of collectibles, from baseball cards to jewelry to local town memorabilia, rent space and set up shop and offer their goodies and some great deals. On one day last week, they had cookie jars, Santa figurines, roller skates, a trumpet, fishing rods, a Selbyville High School belt buckle and a Victor Table Top record player featuring Doris Day’s “Who Who Who.”

Griffiths added that dealers sometimes even come and buy there, which shows that prices are reasonable enough for them to re-sell items elsewhere. In addition, they might have high-schoolers come to purchase some fun “bling” jewelry for the prom, and they cater to anyone looking for that special gift for someone.

Dagsboro Antique Center is located in Dagsboro, across from the post office. They are open seven days a week from May to November, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays. From December to April, they are open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays.