Antique store offers a unique inventory

Maria Bartolet

Whether seriously shopping or leisurely browsing, a visit to the Agoura Antique Mart is like a trip through time, where the old combines with the new to provide a delightful journey of the senses.

Upon entering the store, customers are greeted by friendly staff, relaxing music and the soothing smells of gift bath soaps and candles.

Coffee and cookies are always available.

"Instead of getting a drug boost, I come here," said Suzanne Duckett, a Thousand Oaks resident who’s a long-time, frequent shopper at the store.

"I find myself coming back her time and time again, when there are other places I could go," she added.

The enjoyable ambiance is no accident.

It’s been nurtured and developed by Maria Bartolet, owner of the store for the past eight years.

"The one comment we always hear is that this is a clean, well-organized store. Every dealer here does a nice presentation. It’s not a typical, dusty antique store," said Bartolet.

First-time shopper Susan Safran of Westlake Village agreed.

"It’s bright and clean and didn’t smell musty like most antique stores, which feel like haunted houses," she said.

"It is a pleasant, calm, peaceful experience being in here."

Agoura Antique Mart encompasses 9,000 square feet, with more than 60 dealers exhibiting their wares. There’s a wide variety of merchandise, all arranged nicely in different parts of the store.

To describe the everything in the inventory would be impossible.

Agoura Antique Mart features everything from furniture to figurines, crystal chandeliers, antique reference books, reproduction hardware, vintage jewelry, and even antique baby clothes and wedding dresses.

And that’s to name just a few of the items available.

On this visit, Duckett purchased something she collects—Bakelite—a colorful pre-plastic material used in such things as jewelry and tableware. She also found a silver Noah’s Ark bracelet and earring set for her daughter, and other various treasures.

"Every little section has it’s own flavor to it," she said as she walked through the store.

Peggy Campenelli of Woodland Hills, a vendor who has a space in the store, said that business was good. Her little section featured some new wildlife figurines as well as re-issues of Russian porcelain ware, such as teapots.

Bartolet buys antiques to sell in her store, some on consignment.

She also has shoppers who comb the country for antiques for her store.

"Everybody has their own source to buy antiques—all over the country. There’s not much locally … more in the Midwest and East Coast," she said.

Bartolet, who purchased the store eight years ago, said she’s always had an interest in antiques and had grown up around them. She said the store carries a good mixture of antique items, as well as new things, such as stationary, cards and other gift items.

With stuffed animals and other things for youngsters, there’s something for everyone, even people who don’t collect antiques.

The jewelry is especially noteworthy, as it ranges from old Southwest pieces and traditional vintage marcasite, to estate jewelry and even a locket with a cut of hair inside, something the Victorians did.

The Agoura Antique Mart is located at 28863 Agoura Road in Agoura Hills (in the Whizins’ Center). It’s open seven days a week.