I really wanted to like Bellingham Antique Mall, but unfortunately I can't recommend it.
The biggest issue was the smell. There is an older cat in the shop, and while I absolutely love cats, it was very clear that it is urinating inside. The odor of cat urine was extremely strong and hard to ignore. It made it difficult to browse comfortably.
Pricing throughout the store also felt high. I did find a few interesting items, but overall many things seemed marked well above what they're worth.
The costume jewelry section was especially frustrating. I appreciated that the clerk unlocked the case and allowed me to look, but having someone stand closely beside me the entire time felt awkward; considering the position and place where we were. If the items require that level of supervision, it might make more sense to keep them in the front jewelry counter area. Which they were not using for jewelry.
The cabinets being secured with visible chains throughout the store was also off-putting and added to an uncomfortable browsing experience.
What truly disappointed me was the pricing and representation of the jewelry. There was a costume ring priced at $80 that appeared to be worth closer to $20. Another was marked $60 and also clearly costume. A "sterling silver" ring was priced at $115, yet there was no visible 925, STER, or STERLING stamp, no paperwork, and the citrine stone did not appear genuine. Without proper identification or documentation, those prices felt unreasonable.
Between the odor and the questionable pricing, I left feeling uneasy about the value of other items in the store as well.
I'm sharing this in hopes that improvements can be made, because antique shopping should feel enjoyable and trustworthy. read more