Browsing Antiques in historic Fernandina

If you like to collect things from yesteryear, then step back in time by visiting historic Fernandina Beach, Florida.  Enjoy a leisurely stroll down Centre Street and the surrounding 55-block historic district, while you marvel at nineteenth century architecture and Victorian-era homes.

Then enter several of Amelia's downtown antique shops and browse a wonderful array of antiques in search of that something special. 

There are two larger antique showrooms located on Centre Street.  If you're in the mood to take a little walk and browse, the following shops are within walking distance of each other:

The largest is the Eight Flags Antique Market located at 604 Centre Street.  This market features the wares of more than 50 antique dealers, each with a "booth" within one building. People with varying tastes are bound to find something of interest here, where offerings range from novelty items and collectibles to a large selection of furniture, including fine quality period pieces as well as "peeling paint" and white-washed cottage-style. Plus old books, jewelry, glassware, china, garden items -- and the list goes on.

Another very large shop is Eileen's Art & Antiques, located at 702 Centre Street (between 7th & 8th streets).  This large shop includes a variety of antiques, reproduction furniture, jewelry, home decor and loads of artwork (much more artwork than antiques) -- you can spend a long time browsing this sprawling shop.  The building is located just a stone's throw from the Eight Flags Antique Market. 

Look for the rooster sign on Centre Street, for French Market Antiques, Accessories & Gifts.  Located at 203 Centre Street, it's on the same block as the gourmet coffee shop. Make sure you stop in this wonderful shop with beautiful antique furnishings (shipments arrive direct from France), plus reproductions, accessories and gifts, and chat with owners, Judy and Craig Nelson. Visit the French Market Antiques website.  

Another downtown antique shop -- much smaller, but quaint -- is Huckleberry Lane, tucked away off Centre Street at 13 North 4th Street (near the Fernandina library).  It's only a short walk from the larger shops noted above, and features cottage-style antiques and "shabby-chic" whitewashed pieces to elegant French.  

Besides the shops located in the historic downtown area, Amelia offers additional antiquing opportunities at shops around the island. Also visit the Plantation Shop on Amelia Island's southend, in Palmetto Walk shopping village, on First Coast Highway (904)261-2030  . 

You never know what treasure you'll discover -- each time is a new adventure at Amelia Island's antique shops.