Treasure Hunting in Kenosha, Wisconsin

All things vintage, antique, fair trade, and handmade!

From vintage and antiques to consignment, collectibles, one-of-a-kind items, and fair trade goods, Kenosha is a pretty sweet spot for all my trinket trailblazers and collectors out there!

There are few things that get me as hyped about life as grabbing a cup of coffee, stepping into the sun, and spending the day shop-hopping for unique treasures. I’m going to give you the lineup of shops you should check out the next time you’re in Kenosha if you’re a treasure hunter yourself. Even if you aren’t looking for anything specific, you never know what might find you!

Vintage Underground

This recently expanded vintage shop located right in the heart of Downtown Kenosha should not be overlooked, as it is full of thousands of unique finds that are constantly being refreshed! If you revel in the retro and love all things nostalgia, this one is for you without a doubt. Every time you step inside, it’s like a time capsule. Vintage Underground is always bringing in new vendors, and the inventory is constantly rotating within the space to give you a brand-new point of view. The magic of Vintage Underground is that you could go there five times in a week and see something new each and every time – there is so much to find! Looking for something specific? Stacy and her crew are ready to help you find what you’re looking for!

The Cypress Tree

What do you do when you can’t store your collectibles anymore? You open a shop. This is exactly what the owner of The Cypress Tree, Edward, did in 1977. This little corner in Kenosha has been open since then, bringing unique antiques and furniture to Kenosha! Although Edward specializes in furniture, which you can find a lot of at The Cypress Tree, he also has paintings, rugs, glassware, lamps, and other collectibles. You can also find pottery, jewelry, and books from time to time. He also does restorations and offers repairs on antiques as well! Looking to get rid of a cool antique or collectible piece? The Cypress Tree buys and sells! Stop in and see the treasure trove for yourself, and get ready to find something special!

Lulu Birds

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something Lulu! Lulu Birds has a little bit of everything, from vintage trinkets and unique finds to one-of-a-kind furniture, handmade jewelry and accessories, and so much more. There is always new eccentric finds being added into the mix at Lulu Birds, so if you stop in once, come back soon! Something remarkable about Lulu Birds is how adorable the setup is – the furniture and decor are placed in such beautiful silhouettes that allow you to envision what the complementary pieces might look like in your own home! From curated timeless classics to something new and invigorating, Lulu Birds is always bringing something unique to the table! (No literally, they have awesome tables.)

Latibule

This unconventional boutique art studio has wasted no time making a name for itself as a safe haven for creators and an adorable shopping destination for those who want to shop for fair-trade and artisan products. Much of what you see for sale is handmade, and some of what you see are even items you can make in classes offered by Latibule! Stop in and see what special treasures await! There is always something new popping up seasonally with rotating displays.

Inner Child Comics & Collectibles

Inner Child Comics & Collectibles is a distinctive gem here in Kenosha, filled with bronze, silver, and golden age comics, action figures, statues, busts, Nintendo games, vintage magazines, toys, and so much more. This shop is truly for the inner child. Fun fact about this shop, owner Dr. Khan was a lifelong oral surgeon who decided to take the leap of faith and open his own collector's shop for pop culture memorabilia! With a passion for keeping these pieces in great condition to be loved for generations, this is truly a special gem. Dr. Khan has been seen on MeTV Network’s Collector's Call series, Fox 6 Milwaukee news at the first Fantastic Con convention in Milwaukee, the Hardcore Pawn Chicago television series, and more! Embrace your childhood memories in this one-of-a-kind pop culture collectible shop.

Outpour Fairtrade Boutique

Outpour Fairtrade Boutique is a shop run entirely by volunteers to support Operation Outpour, an organization that gives back to artisans across the world! This boutique goes above and beyond to make every purchase have a powerful purpose. The profits from the items you buy from Outpour support those artisians and their families directly. The work of Operation Outpour has even allowed them to build a school in Mirebalais, Haiti. From soaps hand-carved with a machete in Kenya, gourd ornaments made in Haiti, Peru, Vietnam, and Ecuador, to hand-woven baskets, organic coffee, tea, and chocolate from fair-trade farms all over the world, and tagua jewelry and leather bags, there are so many one-of-a-kind gifts to choose from. Shop with a purpose and help break the poverty cycle through beautiful art pieces you can’t find anywhere else!

Nature’s Gallery

Nature’s Gallery offers handmade wearable artwork, making it a hidden gem with unique treasures. Each wearable piece is one-of-a-kind, crafted using wool roving, silk, and foliage. Yes, foliage! Owner Sherri incorporates botanical pieces to print and press onto fabric and paper. When you step into Nature’s Gallery, you not only shop for art pieces but also immerse yourself in a special experience – a gallery that doubles as a functioning art studio. Sherri creates and sells her pieces from the gallery, adding to its unique and individualized charm. Don’t miss out on the treasures found here! Located in the Union Park district, the shop is open by appointment or keep an eye on Facebook for pop-up hours!

Le Esthers Lampshade and Repair Shop

When I think of a family-owned business bringing in old-time hospitality and service into our modern-day Kenosha – I think of Le Esthers. This shop is the only full-service lamp shade and repair shop found in the region (including southeastern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois). You can find unique one-of-a-kind lamps that have been restored, or built to be one of a kind, find a new shade for a lamp you love, have your favorite lamp be polished or refinished, or browse through the variety of styles to find what you’re looking for. The custom-made creations and antique gems are truly a wonder to see. Even walking past and looking in the window you’ll be amazed by the dancing prisms and stunning lamps inside!

DeBerge's Framing & Gallery LLC

DeBerge’s is renowned for its framing services, but it also houses many other treasures! Some of the highlights in the shop include new, unique jewelry items, funky and special trinkets, as well as timeless wooden creations, kaleidoscopes, and taleidoscopes (these are like kaleidoscopes, but the view on the other side of the glass doesn’t alter the visual like with a kaleidoscope!) There's always something special at DeBerge’s, and owners Barb and Kim are super kind and ready to assist you in finding the perfect gift or something new to spark joy in you!

And More!

There are so many special stores here in Kenosha that this list could go on and on forever…So, make sure you check out the shopping section of our website for more specialty stores and unique spots to shop! From thrifting and collecting to seeking one-of-a-kind artwork, we are lucky to have such a myriad of fun shops with business owners and staff eager to celebrate the little things in life along with you. Add these shops to your itinerary for your next visit to Kenosha!

Note: Also check out Peacetree Originals, a Bohemian style boutique specializing in jewelry, clothing, natural bodycare, crystals, fair trade items, and local art.