In recent years, I've gravitated to "curated" antique/art stores, as I've enjoyed the selection, and haven't felt overwhelmed with all the "stuff". I also sometimes take pause, realizing that these treasures used to belong to someone else, before they either voluntarily parted with them, or simply left their earthly positions behind. In some ways, Artifacts is the mother of antique stores, with several rooms filled with treasures, both small and large. It's right across the street from John's Market, and easily a world away. I found the selections to be fairly well organized and the store reasonably easy to navigate. It was also clear to me that the owners had a good eye and knew treasure from schlock. I found prices reflected well the value that they were probably worth. Best of all, wandering/exploring through Artifacts was a lot of fun. Besides "budget" consideration, the only other limiting factor for me is that I was going home to Northern Nevada in a few days, and my suitcase was only so big. I also knew darn well that places like this truly are like a box of chocolate, as you're never really sure what you'll find either now or later. And when I return to Iowa City in Fall 2022 and enter Artifacts, I'm sure it will be a whole new "Onion" experience. Gayle would say that we don't need any more stuff, while asking where we're going to put it. I'm not sure I understand her point. :) read more

This is a nick nack used stuff store. It's much bigger than it looks like from the outside. If I wasn't leaving on a plane, there was lots of stuff i'd like here. It's got a lot of stuff and it's pretty interesting. read more

See all

This is the best antique store that I've ever been to and I've been a lot in the upstate Woodstock New York area, which is a Mecca of thrifting. I not only like the variety that they have but everything is well organized. As a seller, they offered me fair price for all the items I brought in ranging from T-shirts to jewelry. Steve s Todd are very exceptional atwhat they do and good honest people. This is the type of business in Iowa City you hope never goes away read more

Artifacts - Antiques Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

See all

Wow! What a find. Amazingly good stuff (wish I had $8000 to buy a Roman era mosaic table from Tunisia, but just to see it was a shock) and a lot of it. Everything was reasonably priced for the quality and had a wide variety of things to pick through. Clean and about as organized as an antique store can be. Highly recommend a stop if you're anywhere in the area. read more

Recently came here to explore an amazing antique store since my wife was highly interested. Really large store with friendly staff that has alot to offer. Great Christmas stuff the moment that you walk in. Plenty of household items and varieties of endless goods that are hard to find and one of a kind. Though I do think this place is overpriced in some aspects personally. Overall, petty solid place worth checking out! read more

They have a great diverse selection if you are looking to buy really cool unique items and if you are looking to sell they are always buying cool vintage items that are in good condition I highly recommend checking this place out!! read more

a little bit of everything or a lot of everything! what a fun store. Be prepared to spend some time

I could spend all day roaming this store of random odds and ends, some valuable, some not. framed art, posters, furniture, glass and silverware, vinyl records, turntables, furniture, tools, old machinery, clothing, shoes, books, puzzles, office supplies, old telephones, more art, some very amazing African wooden carvings/sculptures (kachina dolls) jewelry...this list goes on and on! Oh, and they have one small closet packed to the gills with children's' toys of yore. Just go in and roam. You will be amazed. And maybe, just maybe, you'll find something there that you just can't live without. read more

Wowza. What a fun store filled with interesting things and certainly many treasures. You can spend an hour perusing the store filled with curated antiques. From furniture, to knick knacks and everything in between, if you are looking for a one of a kind, go here. Staff are super nice and welcoming too. read more

Artifacts - Antiques Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

See all

I give it 3 1/2 stars. Artifacts has always been one of my GoTo places for fun when I lived in Iowa City. and when visiting Iowa City. It's lost a little of the magic with its expansion. True, I was delighted early on when I saw how they had cleaned up the place and that you could walk down the aisles without turning side-ways. But a great deal of the charm for me in a vintage 2nd hand store is its messiness and sense of discovery and finding a delightful oddity. In my last two perusals I felt I saw less impossible to pass up treasures, especially in the book section. The December 2023 Little Village has that horrible ad for Artifacts--Vintage Is Sexy--the naked man in the bathtub. There is nothing sexy about a poorly framed photo of a man cramped in a plain bathtub with an ugly vanity inches from his head. Heaven forbid you would find anything similar to the tub or the vanity in the actual store. What happened to the original Vintage is Sexy photo using a full length picture? It was clever, funny, and eye-catching--a great spoof of Rock Hudson lying naked in a tub from the Doris Day movie PILLOW TALK. Please dig around your old drawers and bring the original back. This is a unique vintage store that has undergone a recent expansion. It is well worth the visit. I found the prices reasonable and the staff okay. read more

Artifacts - Antiques Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

I lived in Iowa City for a little while a decade ago, and loved this store. I found the neatest little trinkets and vintage postcards. I was just back for a little vacation and didn't realize they had expanded! It's huge now! Great selection of stuff from African masks to jadeite bakeware and even clothing. A must-see if you're visiting Iowa City! read more

Went here this week, my gf and I found and bought a lot of cool stuff. What I like about Artifacts is that they had sick vintage clothes. The employees were always very nice. 10/10 recommend. Ill be back next year:) read more

See all

I'd go in without too much extra baggage because you're bound to knock over a wide variety of haunted artifacts and bring a poltergeist home. Prices vary quite a bit, and the organization was really thoughtful and helpful. Staff is cool too! read more

An absolute destination for the unique. You can spend several hours every week at Artifacts.

I was shocked and will not return. Those who were staff were not welcoming after I said hello, they seemed confused or not all there to be honest. The items are piled up and hard to view, I had to dig and move items around without damaging anything. Don't let the dollar sign fool you, it's over priced. As I travel I make my way to the Antique stores to get the vibe and excitement of viewing all the relics of the city and people. I was truly excited to visit this store as a visitor to Iowa, as of now I would not recommend. read more

Great little spot to find your next treasure. At our last stop in, we found some great hats, some lovely stained glass windows from a church, a spartan-esk helmet and that mother of all items....a stuffed bear! The prices are reasonable and they seem to be buying stuff all the time. Whether you're a collector or just looking to kill some time, this place is a must see for those in the area! read more

Artifacts - Antiques Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

THE COOLEST STORE IN IOWA The owners have a VERY good eye and everything in here is consistently STELLAR. The list of treasures I've found in this shop are endless (and priceless). Really cool and nice folks, great business to support and strike gold in! read more

Artifacts is unique enough and merchandise moves so quickly that I make it a point to visit the store at least one or more times per month. As a lifelong collector, I can tell you confidently that this store always has something to offer that will be quality, unusual, collectible, and worth the trip. The owner, Todd, loves the "unboring" stuff of life, and has a great eye for collecting for the store and finding consigners that have "great stuff". I NEVER visit Iowa City without making this a "must stop" destination. read more

Love love love. Great vintage store with eclectic art, midcentury finds, lamps at terrific prices and a cool clothing rack for men and women. Jewelry and vintage finds that are not run of the mill. Friendly staff and a fun relaxed vibe!! A highlight of our Iowa city trip!! read more

Artifacts is a great shop, stocked with wonderful items and staffed by friendly people. I was visiting Iowa City for the first time and I always try to find an antique store or two to visit. Glad I found Artifacts! I enjoyed it so much that I went two days in a row. I found the selection at Artifacts to be great with a mix of vintage, antique and collectible items. The majority of items were priced very fairly and the two gents working there were both extremely friendly. They really do have a bit of everything, including: clothing, glassware, photos, kitchen/household items, ephemera, jewelry, military items, small furniture and more. Great for collectors, decorators and hipsters. A+ read more

Mexican feather bird pictures (2) in white wood frames: $15 Oak chair with carving of the north wind on the back $30 Original and incredibly beautiful etching $35 Large area shag rug $30 This is just the best pricing I've seen for a store with such incredible selection. The owner is incredibly helpful and friendly and the store is in a ivy covered Victorian house. read more

I love going on treasure hunts in Artifacts. My husband and I were on a quest to find that perfect mid-century modern credenza for our record player after moving here from Los Angeles. We had seen solid wood pieces start at over $500 out west. We were shocked to see a solid maple record cabinet at Artifacts for 175. Every time we go there, we find something that seems just perfect and have learned our lesson that if you find that one piece you have been looking for, you should get it then and there because it might get purchased by the next customer if you wait. Beyond furniture, they have a lot of kitschy nicknacks, some vintage clothing both high and low end- i did see one beautiful burgendy silk Valentino or Gucci dress from the late 70's early 80's there this past winter. read more

SO MUCH to look at here; I barely scratched the surface! I've been looking for a new lamp for eons, and I'm really picky and didn't want the usual bland lamp with a white shade. I have a great '50s lamp that I got years ago, and Artifacts had several similar ones for less than half the price I paid back then. I was floored! The clothing's packed in a pretty tight space, but I did manage to locate a cool plaid pleated skirt (and it doesn't really look like my old Catholic school uniform, thankfully). But, I wish I still needed salt & pepper shakers; they had a whole wall of them for $6/pair. Saw lots of reasonably priced furniture for another day. I will return! read more

This place is a wonderful Iowa City store to explore. They have some hidden treasures and you can find some very cool things in there if you are willing to look. Their prices are not ridiculously high either and their customer service is wonderful. Usually if you ask about a piece they can provide some interesting history behind it. I will say that it is cramped and if you are the type to get overwhelmed, then this place isn't for you. There is sooo much to look at and it is just packed with stuff. Hoarders would love this place. Overall, I love this place and it is so fun to go through. Definitely worth going in to check out. read more

I visited Artifacts yesterday for the first time. It's an incredible little space with a lot of amazing vintage items for super-reasonable prices.The owner also is fun to talk to and really knows his stuff. I know that I'll be back as soon as I have some money to spend. read more

Very sad store. Going out of business maybe? We will attribute the poor selection and overwhelming "junk" to the current changes they are going through? read more

Wandered into Artifacts this past weekend and LOVED the place. For me, looking for/at antiques can either be a pleasant or a totally mind-numbing experience. When stuff is all over the place with no real organization or categorizing attempt made, I can only stomach about 15 minutes before I'm practically dizzy with all these little trinkets and piles of postcards and depression glass staring at me from a massive heap. Artifacts seems to totally have it together. Even though the place is somewhat small, things are organized here. I didn't feel overwhelmed at all and found some great items! I left with less than I wanted...but at least I know where to go back to :) The prices are VERY reasonable. I got a 100% leather and brass saddle style purse for 20 bucks. Check them out! read more

Extremely friendly staff and the prices are so reasonable. I was visiting from out of town and looked up vintage stores online. When I got there I was in vintage heaven - just didn't have a U-Haul to take it all back with me!! read more

I've done a lot of business with this wonderful store. I took boxes of vintage items there which they sold on consignment and it was very profitable for both of us. don't go there looking for newer stuff... vintage is what they deal in and the shop is packed with treasures. I've come home with many of them. don't miss out. Todd is awesome. always an enjoyable experience. read more

Artifacts is my favorite antique/thrift/junk store. Artifacts carries a lot of mid-century inventory. I love mid-century modern design, so it's always fun to see what's "new" at Artifacts. Inventory is constantly changing. Packed to the rafters, there's always something interesting to look at, if not purchase. Last time I was in there they had an old wood phone booth. TIP: Don't go home to "mull it over" if you see something you may want. I've been disappointed myself, when I returned with cash in hand to find "my precious" has been sold out from under my indecisive nose. My kids love going to Artifacts. Tons of stuff for them to dig through, and the owner/employees could choose to get uptight about it, but do not. My kids are pretty well behaved, though. My daughter usually finds some old beads or tiny decorative pill box or something with a "magical" quality. I usually find a few very unique Christmas gifts at Artifacts. They carry a lot of interesting ceramics and other artwork. Stocking stuffers, fun weird unique items, and my kids like picking up presents for mom there. The guy who runs the place has always been super-friendly and chatty, as well as the gals behind the counter. read more

I've found some real gems here! Prices are pretty decent (depending on the piece) and you never really know what you might find. Lots of local treasures and handmade/one-of-a-kind pieces. Very friendly staff! Check it out when you have a chance! read more

This is a great shop. Fun, not boring, and even somewhat organized. I think they probably have a good turn-over of stuff because this was the first time I have had to stand in line to purchase something from an antique store. I got a red cashmere scarf for $8. read more

My mother has been collecting antiques and odds and ends since I was a kid and has been pulling me into shops like Artifacts for as long as I can remember. As many as I have been in, this is still one of the greats. Every time I wander in here there is something new and awesome. I've walked out having purchased a stereo receiver, jewelry, antique political buttons, and all sorts of odds and ends. The people who work here are fantastic and always helpful. I can spend - literally - hours in here. read more

This store has the coolest most bizarre oddities and antiques. The prices are also not bad. I'm addicted to looking through the vintage clothes, photographs, toys, furniture, books, jewelry, etc. Sometimes they even had old print type. The one terrible thing is how cramped and tight the store is. Things are stacked on top of other things and there is no room to get around other people. DO NOT bring any small children. read more

A fun place to stop by when you're walking around but I have never been drawn to anything in there. Definitely an eclectic assortment of items and it never hurts to look, in fact, it's often quite fun. read more

I spend waaaaay too much time in this store. My boyfriend and I make it a regular stop every weekend, because the owner often adds new things every week. True, there's not always something to buy, but there are so many nostalgic items in here that it's a treat just to browse. The staff are really nice and helpful, as well. read more

Artifacts is an adorable little shop, jam-packed with odds and ends, old furniture and fun houseware items. I found the prices to be quite reasonable (especially compared to Boston!) and once we get settled in Iowa City I fully intend on shopping for some housewares and antique furniture! The shopkeepers were friendly and I rather enjoyed the cluttered nature of the space. Will definitely be back again soon! read more

Great place to find awesome and unique items to decorate your dorm or apartment. Stop in you won't regret it. I wish I would have known about this place when I went to school here. My place would have looked AMAZING and very stylish for my budget. Great place, wish I lived closer so I could go back again and again. read more

This store is wonderful. They have a wide variety of super cool antiques and vintage items at reasonable prices, and the staff are really kind and go out of their way to help you. This is definitely one of my favorite stores in Iowa City-- I probably go in and shop way more than I should, but it's hard not to because they always have new and exciting inventory! read more

Artifacts has a well edited and ever changing stock. I always find really cool things there that are reasonably priced. Though I agree it is pretty cramped, I always really love scouring every nook and cranny. I've only ever had the very best of service there and love this store! read more