What’s On Second Antiques

I’ve given What’s on Second three tries, but I think I’m done. It’s just too darn expensive.
I spend an inordinate amount of time in vintage and collectibles stores so I have a general idea of what things should cost. Without fail, every single thing I’ve picked up in this store has made me think, «Hmmm…this is at least 10% more than it should be.»
Unfortunately, What’s on Second will have to be removed from my East Bay rotation unless I’m only in the mood to look; they do have some cool stuff, but at San Francisco prices!

Met Joann last weekend at the Crockett Street Fair and wanted to stop by today to pick up some Crockett history books for my wife! Great store and conversation with both Joann and Dennis, will definitely become a regular for browsing and conversation!

I love places like this. Old advertisements, toys, antique glass, auto brochures, costume jewelry, sports memorabilia, and so on.
The usual problem with such stores is that either (1) the items are considered heirlooms, and priced accordingly, or (2) everything is piled haphazardly in random order, forcing visitors to contort themselves into odd shapes to reach the buried treasures… which may be more buried than treasure.
What’s on Second is amazing, in that they have a wide variety of items, stretching back for decades, and all are clearly organized and beautifully presented. The sweet couple who own the business were both very friendly, accommodating numerous questions and requests to see various items throughout the store.
I ended up buying four separate gifts, and left spending just under $ 100. Each item was unique, a special gift that I would never find in a mall or outlet store.
There’s a 20% sale through the end of December. If you’re doing Christmas/​Chanukah shopping, avoid the mad crowds, go to What’s on Second, step back into the past, and pick up some truly special items. I know I’ll be going back.

Let me preface this by stating that I do not frequent antique stores. Yet, there I was in hilly Crockett and there was this store and there I was inside. You can’t help but wander in to this place, as it seems to have something for every generation. I saw a biography on Bing Crosby published back in WWII and there was a huge California Bear Flag from the 19^th century! Everywhere there was a goody, a treasure. I particularly liked how everything was laid out, so that I felt I was in search of a treasure map. The woman behind the counter was all smiles, and I felt like a member of the family. Not too many stores provide that sort of atmosphere these days. Great fun.
Crockett itself is fun, particularly on a chill day when the hills beckon the walker and this wonderful store awaits new venturers.

Reasures for the finding if you know what you are looking for.

Lots of authentic wares. Clean and not crusty. Interesting items, including old C & H. Not full of crap like a lot of faux-​antique shops.

One of the better antique stores I’ve been to in awhile.

Best little antique store in the East Bay. Sssssh! It’s our little secret. Great prices, supremely kitschy collectables. Always friendly!

I’ve been visiting What’s on Second for about a year now (just discovered their listing on Unilocal — I’m old school that way).
Hard to add much to what the others reviewers have provided. I like the store because it’s not «antiques» as in a bunch of big, old French furniture that, truth be told, is uglier than sin (though I’ve found a couple of useful pieces of beautiful, quality furniture there — that sewing box/​footstool hides my router quite nicely). They focus on collectible items and know their advertising history/​collectibles like nobody’s business.
Joann and Dennis are both knowledgeable, friendly and helpful and, if they don’t know about something, have no bones about saying so.
While I nearly always find something when I stop by, just talking with them and getting the benefit of their knowledge is worthwhile. They’re really up on a lot of the East Bay and Bay Area history.
It’s definitely worth a visit and Crockett itself is a beautiful little town for a visit.

I hadn’t realized how jaded I’d become about antique stores until my boyfriend and I took a little day trip to Crockett and walked into this awesome joint. It is packed with all of this amazing advertising memorabilia! I walked around with a stunned smile on my face for over an hour, and I could have stayed even longer. I saw so many things I’d never seen before in my lifetime of antique shopping. It was like a cultural museum — a time capsule.
The prices were good and the merch was just too much fun! While checking out, I talked with Joann, one of the owner-​operators, who explained that all of dealers are collectors, too, and that the store is really a reflection of their love of advertising. She told me a fascinating story about her big score, many years ago — a drugstore in San Leandro, that had operated during WWII and then had closed up. She spent 5 days unloading goodies from this magical sale.
For better or for worse — Ebay has dramatically changed the landscape of the antique scene. Many of my favorite local stores just feel diminished and often have empty spaces, where dealers have flown the coop — for auction sites, or maybe just to get out of the game, because they can’t compete with internet sales. Please check out this store — -it is a holdout from an earlier era, when you could still find great fascinating items at affordable prices.

Glad you like the name — I named it when my ex-​husband first opened the store years ago! It just seemed like the perfect name.
Joann and Dennis (current owners) are total A’s fans so it sure fits. There is so much to look at you never know what you will find — great stop for unusual wedding gifts too, if you are on your way to a wedding in Crockett at the Old Homestead or the Commuity Center.

Awesome antique store. Something for everybody. Prices are good and the guys that we’re running it the day I went in we’re really cool. They knew about everything and we’re fun to talk to. Take your time when shopping here, you never know what you’ll stumble across.