My family was racially profiled here. Me and my 3 year old were walking around the store while my…read morehusband parted ways to look around. An elderly woman greeted me and my 3 year old with kindness and complimented us. We continued to browse while my husband overheard the woman telling the elderly man I'm assuming her husband to keep an eye on us. Being the only brown people in the store one can only assume it's for that reason. If you are a minority I do not recommend this place. Knowing the antique community is very small and not kindly to minorities. There are far better places that won't profile you in the Birmingham area

We were about to go inside and shop and the lady outside yelled at us saying we can't park there if…read morewe aren't patrons. I told her we were going to shop there and she was so disrespectful. We immediately left because we didn't want to support a business that yells at customers about to come in

I've heard of the Brass Bear when I've been to a few estate sales. So when I looked over while…read moredriving by and saw it, I figured I'd check it out. Kind of a mistake. It's a pretty big store, and there is a lot to see. I'm sure there are many fabulous items, but it's not really a place to "stop in and check it out." I think you have to both be in the mood/frame-of-mind to really look at everything and have the time to do it. You could very easily spend all day there. "Just browsing" isn't going to cut it. That said, I had neither the time nor the inclination to spend the time to really give it a good shopping. Instead I found it overwhelming, so I just politely walked most of the aisles only looking at the things that really jumped out at me. Because it was a Saturday, there seemed to be a number of vendors there, so I'm sure there are some interesting stories to be told, and they could surely help if you're searching from something specific.

The Brass Bear has been around for a while and it's still one of the best antique malls regarding…read moreservice and helpfulness to customers. I asked one gentleman at the cashier's desk if he thought a Vendor would be willing to negotiate over price of a specific piece of furniture and he quickly responded, 'Let's give him a call right now.' And sure enough, the Vendor did in fact work with me on the price and I went home with a chair I really wanted. Actually, there is a little bit of everything that collectors hope to see at the Brass Bear at reasonable prices. In addition, parking is free and convenient at the front of the store. Stop by one day when you have a free hour to treat yourself.

I do recommend this place for odds and ends items. Pickers is a store that has items of a classic…read morenature. This is a huge store with a variety of items to choose from, so you can spend a lot of time looking around. I like the used music department. The CDs are only $5. The cashiers are right by the front door and there's usually no wait. Come when you have time to explore the selections.

Irondale Pickers is a very nice place to spend a hour or two looking at the huge selection of…read moreantiques and not-so-much-antiques. The cashiers are very friendly and helpful too. And I agree with the other reviewers, the store is very neat and clean inside. I did notice that some of the vendor's prices are a little higher than other vendors, but that's life, because some grocery stores are a little higher than other grocery stores (I won't name names). And finally, there are plenty of parking spaces in front of the store, which makes things convenient. If you haven't already, checkout Irondale Pickers.

Where do I start? The merchandise is stunning, the owner and her coworkers are so friendly. It's…read morelike going to an English countryside to shop. They also have some beautiful jewelry. Go have breakfast or lunch across the street then stop by for some amazing shopping.

Beautiful pieces but prices are not for the faint of heart. Pieces are in the multiple thousands.read more

Passed by this store and decided to check out the vinyls. This is a nice consignment shop. I…read morepurchased a cd from one of the vendors. Affordable prices for the cd's.

Stopped by with my daughter with no intention of buying anything but two CDs and a sleeves of album…read moreholders later I am headed home. Servers were very friendly and welcoming at this spot. We have another pickers nearer to us and it has good stuff there too. You have to look around for bargains but normally something will catch your eye.

Architectural Heritage is your go-to place for antique furniture, and over-the-top architectural…read morepieces like columns, fountains, iron gates, and antique doors. Everything here is very expensive, yet much of what you see is one-of-a-kind. They have a small section of more everyday antiques, and a larger collection of architectural pieces.

Mmmm. This place is really great. I don't think there is one thing in here that is…read moreordinary...everything is extraordinary! You are sure to enjoy anything you are fortunate to take home from this place. From beautiful and majestic antique doors from cathedrals and by-gone mansions to modern art and classic paintings, there are many items here that will draw me back. In addition almost very old architectural pieces there are even ancient pieces. I mean where else can you buy fossilized dinosaur eggs and crosses made from reclaimed metal beams? You can here. A few vendors offer classic French antique furniture pieces and decorative accessories. Others offer more contemporary repurposed pieces. My favorite vendor presented an interesting selection of antlers and Native American weaponry presented in a very classy manner (think of an estate house not a rustic cabin). Other architectural stores may have a larger selection old beams, doors, windows, garden statuary, but without any junk. Frankly, I think Architectural Heritage has bought the best of the best from all the others stores and brought them here for us to see without sorting through any flea market items. This place would be a fun location for a Yelp Elite that would include a cocktail reception provided by a high end mixologist or a vineyard, elegant food, and classy band. The surroundings are great providing lots of eye candy and discussion. The two floor staff members were delightful for discussion and even offered great insight about the various vendors. I was especially grateful for their knowledge of the Antique and Vintage Furniture stores in the Greater Birmingham area. They pointed me in the right direction!

On A Shoestring Trading located on Shades Crest Road in Bluff Park is like taking a trip back in…read moretime! The eclectic antique collection and selection is mind blowing, because there isn't a vacant spot anywhere in the house. There were all sorts of vintage glassware, crystal, dishes, shaving mugs, books, hand tools, hats, jewelry, window frames, lamps, paintings and on and on. It will take me more than one trip to see and process everything in the house. And lucky me because today - everything in the house was 25% off - everything. The Gentleman Owner is a most interesting person to meet as he shared the history of the house when I asked him when the house was built. I did make a small purchase today, but that's only because I'm still trying to process everything that I saw and what I want to purchase on my next visit. I will always value my trip to On A Shoestring Trading simply because I had the opportunity to meet the Owner. Such an experience! And there's enough free parking in front of the store, but you could park and walk from the nearby restaurants. I hope you will visit this place someday soon!

On-a-Shoestring... not sure where the name comes from... but cool shop…read more Really like this place as I tend to dig looking around old, antique-y places and such. Some might call that "antiquing" I just call it liking to look around old, antique-y places and such. This place is no different. There's literally stuff packed in every corner of the main level, the upstairs, the somewhat basement level as well as outside in the yard. There are plenty of windows, doors, shutters and other woodworks for re-purposing if you're into that. Most are fairly priced by comparison to other places. Overall however, the store can be a bit expensive in it's pricing. Also they only take cash or checks as forms of payment so if you're headed over here, be sure to take one or the other. Overall, great shop!