If local shopping is your thing, Building Character is a must-visit. Inside one giant building in downtown Lancaster, dozens and dozens of local businesses have stands inside selling all sorts of goodies- records, clothes, candles, books, toys, jewelry. They have it all! There's a restroom by the printing press. read more

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So much fun! Tons of stuff to look at, including new and old. We spent an hour there! read more

Building Character - So close to the old corningware I was looking for - Antiques Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Fun place to wander. Vendor stalls are full of crafts and vintage goods. There's something for everyone. Nicely curated for different tastes. read more

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Shop Notch Amazing and huge shop that's part Thrift Store, part Antiques Market, and part Maker Store. Essentially they host a myriad of different "stores" inside run by different local purveyors, so each area is completely different. They even have a running old-timey print shop in the back complete with a human typesetter. The prices are fair and you're never felt like you're being guilted into purchasing. They also have a really nice, clean shitter in the back that yours truly blew up. Note to mgmt: sorry 'bout that. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ read more

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Artist collective space within 3 warehouses with an upstairs and sister store attached. We were greeted as soon as we walked in. Someone quickly explained the layout of the place to us. The sister store had a lot of local central PA staples and Lancaster merchandise. There is an antique printing press attached with a museum. There are many booths with artist works, but unfortunately a lot of 3D printed/ ai art that we did not love. The handcrafted items and vintage finds were great! Everything from ceramics to candles, knits, stickers, etc. There is also an upstairs area with vintage clothes with a changing room! Every booth was priced very different but overall we thought most items were reasonable. Good way to use an hour in Lancaster. read more

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Great place! We were glad they were open on the 4th of July as it seemed like lots of businesses were closed. We walked around almost the entire space-it's a large building filled with spaces for vendors. So many great items for sale. Definitely something for everyone! read more

Building Character - Antiques Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Building Character is such a great shop in the downtown Lancaster area! There is dedicated parking for customers in a lot. I probably spent at least an hour looking at all the different and unique booths. The prices were fair and the selection was quite unique. This is a great spot to buy gifts! read more

A fun place to shop. Lots of artisans with a variety of things to shop. Earrings, clothing, records, soaps, lotion, duckies, alpaca socks, craft items, souvenirs, etc. so much stuff! The people were friendly. Prices were a little high but it depends what you're looking at. read more

Love love this store! Full of ideas, creativity, and designs. Great place to get unique gifts and lots of awesome things. Plan to visit a few times a year to see what new inventory they bring in. This store feels like Etsy.com but live and in person - very fun! read more

Building Character - Antiques Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Really cool place. I thought it was one store but when you get inside you realize it's more like a flea market with various vendor booths selling their unique collectibles and items. Really loved this place and I'm glad I went back to it. When I first found it, it hadn't opened yet, so I went and got a coffee and then came back. Definitely worth it! Really interesting stuff. read more

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I could do some damage here. Wait... I did. Purchased a bunch of things that maybe I needed...maybe I didn't. Doesn't matter. Tons of cool stuff from vintage clothing to soaps to really cool jewelry/accessories...to even something for your pets. Great spot to get indoors if it's too hot outside. Check out the printing museum as well. It's extremely cool. read more

This place is so neat! It has a little bit of everything! I bought some handmade earrings and a handmade bunny for my daughter. Will love to go back and experience more ! read more

Bunch of small shops. Lots to look at. Souvenirs. Other people's treasures. Handmade goods. Some snacks. Worth a look. read more

Building Character - Antiques Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Ample selection of both modern and vintage items. Friendly staff. All for a reasonable price. Convenient that the Press Heritage Museum is located within the building. read more

So fun! Loved everything about this shop. Great local pieces at great prices. An awesome place for a unique gift or a great spot to find some vintage threads. We went on a Sunday when they opened and they had a large variety of local foods, artists and vintage goods. The prices on most booths were excellent. My husband and I found some old records, some treats from Lancaster and a sweet old saint johns bay vest that still has plenty of life left in it. Our total was around $60 and it was a fun way to spend the afternoon. It took us about 2 hours to look at everything which I appreciated. Since we aren't local I wanted to get through the whole building and this wasn't an issue. Would definitely return and recommend! read more

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Everything from vintage clothing and dishware, antiques to local, handmade art and decor...think 'junktique'. 50+ $tall$ on a variety of floors...allow at least a hour to take it all in ... housewares, tools, trinkets, trains, records, clothes, furniture and fixtures et al. A total theatre experience. The magnitude might seem overwhelming ... take your time. There's a treasure there waiting for you! Not the least of which the Letterpress Museum tucked in the back. The first time we stopped in from Boston we were just about out the door after 45+ minutes. Our friend(?) mentioned a coat on an upper floor that looked like something my wife would wear ... 20 minutes later the coat and wife appeared ...victorious. It has become the go-to arts and crafts party coat. BUiLDiNG CHARACTER is always on the agenda on our stops in Lancaster. read more

This is one of the best multi vendor shops I have been to. The vendors are eclectic and fun. Plenty of original artwork. Lots of local gifts. read more

If you're in the city of Lancaster, this is for sure a place to go! It had 70+ different vendors showcasing some awesome items! When you walk, I'm your greeted by such really nice staff members, then you can walk to the left, right or straight. The building is pretty big. Keep in mind, I'm mind it's in the city, so parking isn't great. However, there is a paying parking lot close by. If you want to go to another cool store, check our their sister store right up the road Madcap & Co read more

While eating lunch at Southern Market the bartender knew we were visiting and hitting some of the local thrift stores and suggested stopping by Building Character. It's not exactly a thrift store, but it's located in a brick building that you enter through an alley. We were able to find parking on the street. Building Character only has 2 or 3 parking spaces in the parking lot so you may not be the lucky one to get a space. Once you walk inside you actually get a colonial vibe from the place. If you walk up the 2 or 3 steps to the next level and go the the rear you will actually see an old world functional printing press with various prints for sale. Building Character appears to rent space to vendors selling anything from eccentric vintage clothing, candles, books, scrubs, jewelry and food etc. The unique thing about this place is you will not actually see the vendor, you select your items and then there is one general check out spot located in the front of the store. Pretty neat to be able to sell your wears without being present. Although the prices aren't thrift store I found that they were still pretty reasonable for finding items that are unique and your helping small business owner thrive. Win, win! read more

Building Character - Entrance to shops - Antiques Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Building Character is one of the most amazing spots in Lancaster and something you need to check out if you're in the area. Located off the Main Street in downtown Lancaster, Building Character occupies a larger warehouse like building and is filling with small crafting and antique booths. Inside you'll find all kinds of goods, everything from vintage clothes, to re purposed furniture, to hand made candles, small crafts to blooming plants. My first trip here I purchased a repainted secretary desk and a woopie pie scented candle. I can't wait to go back! Each vendor has their own small set up, but purchases are made at a centralized register at the front of the store read more

This is the type of place that you can get downright lost in, and lost in the best way possible. There's so much to see as soon as you walk into the door, if I could describe this place without pictures I'd say it's a millennial flea market and that's a compliment. I say that because this isn't what our parents would call a traditional 'flea market' (this is a VERY good thing) as with that definition the expectation of a 'good-load-of-crap'with people in booths selling you knick-knacks, leftovers and occasionally craft goods that they'd created rode along with it. This isn't that place. There are dozens upon dozens of vendors selling everything from vintage clothing, to handmake artwork, soy candles, handmade furniture and even a old-school printing press in the back of the building with a gentleman working there eager to explain the nuances of his craft. Building Character ticked all the boxes for me and it's a good representation of where Lancaster is moving towards as a city. read more

I was shopping at Madcap and Co., when I saw a sign at the register that said they had a sister store nearby. I decided to check it out and I'm so glad I did. I love these types of marketplace that offer a variety of vendors to shop from. There are vintage, recycled, and handmade items to shop from. I picked up some additional Lancaster themed items and browsed through all the shops. We didn't get to finish browsing all the shops since we had arrived close to their closing time. So we decided to come by the next day since we had one more day in Lancaster. The following day we stopped by and the person at the register remembered us -- that was awesome! We did a little bit of damage and picked up some awesome finds! Definitely recommend this shop. read more

Visited on the strong suggestion of a local small business owner, and she did me right! Old warehouse building full of local vendors with handmade and/or vintage items or combinations of the two. I departed with a souvenir tshirt and postcards, locally made chocolate and a half yard of vintage fabric to gift my favorite quilter. I'll likely return before I leave town to pick up some honey, a bracelet I can't forget and some stocking stuffers. Bonus: a friend purchased glassware and they wrapped it to survive the plane ride home! read more

Building Character - View looking towards Willow - Antiques Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Fun artsy space full of an ever-changing array of vendors on the popular 300 block of N. Queen. Look for it tucked away behind Cafe Onions. One can spend hours shopping amongst everything from crafts to antiques to vintage. read more

This place is basically IRL etsy. You're just not going to find such cool stuff anywhere else. It's a great set up and there's a bathroom! I always find something amazing and unique. Staff is helpful and friendly. I go here every time I'm in the area. read more

outstanding place to visit. incredible art and work in every single vendor space, and an amazing way to find and support local artists. also thoroughly enjoyed seeing local businesses like retro rocks and the like, great stop in the city. read more

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Stumbled upon this place after attending a design talk at Candy is Sweet. I really like the space here, they have a huge selection of items from vintage to handmade. They not only have clothes but toys and knickknacks and things around the house. Even if you don't purchase anything, it's still fun to walk through. Prices seem fair. Worth checking out. read more

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This is a pretty cool place, a collective spot where a bunch of different sellers have tiny little nooks selling all types of goods from crafted vintage to soaps to records and old knick knacks and clothing! There are two levels to this place so be sure to check it all out. Some of the vendors stuff is pricey but most is pretty reasonable. It's great to come here just to kill some time and look around but there are also a lot of neat finds to be uncovered that would make some great gifts! read more

There are 3 levels to this store which is nice, not that impressed though I feel like I could do a better job with making the place look pretty and everything, and there were a couple of empty vendor areas which stinks other then that I bought some cute hair scrunchies 3 for $20 read more

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Shop locally! I didn't have much time to shop in Lancaster while I was there last summer, but Building Character was definitely on my list. If you're looking for antiques, architectural salvage, vintage apparel, jewelry, local artwork, and on, this is the place! I was told at my hotel that you could spend days in there, and you probably could! It's a nice place to leisurely browse your way through stall after stall, most of them on consignment. It's a great way for local artists to sell their wares without having to actually physically be there. I was able to score some gifts and prints for pretty reasonable prices. I thought it was funny and odd to see some "vintage" things that were about 20 years old, fashions from the 90s that probably should have stayed there! That kind of stuff makes ME feel old! Building Character is the kind of place that is never the same place twice, so if you have your eye on something, you should probably get it. read more

I've heard about this place from a friend for a while and I am so glad we stopped in today while visiting Lancaster! "Etsy Live" is the best way to describe it. Located in a warehouse there are about 50 little shops that carry everything from soap, to vintage toys, to clothing. The shops are unmanned and then you pay for your items at a front register. Will definitely be back! read more

Building turned out much larger than I imagined, and there was a nice assortment of odds and ends throughout that would interest anyone looking for local decor. You'll find a mix of antique items, local handmade objects, vintage clothing, and much more. Prices seemed to be fair, but they vary from vendor to vendor. read more

This place is the most unique and amazing place! It's all vintage or hand made by locals which is a shopping experience I've never had before! They have Reading root beer and other flavors as well! I personally came here for the store called "this little light of mine" because her candles are AMAZING they blow Yankee out of the water. I could wander around this places for HOURS. It's incredible and I LOVE it read more

Building Character - Antiques Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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Such an amazing space! I could wander through this building for hours, finding new obsessions each step I take. This is a must if you are in the Lancaster area. Great place for furniture, general house decorations, gifts, etc. The staff was very helpful and willing to lend a hand or give advice when needed. Also good to come to if you are looking for inspiration for a DIY project. I will definitely be coming to this place when I move into an apartment- I think everything I furnish it with will come from here! read more

Sigh, I don't know... I can't speak to any of the events held here, and I hear they're wonderful, but I haven't had much luck here on a retail basis. I've gone to BC in search of untouched/unrepaired salvage pieces, but they're just so pricey... for example, I was looking for antique glass doorknobs and iron brackets... they had both for around $75 and $100 apiece, respectively. I have to admit I was surprised. I ended up getting two doorknobs at a shop in Baltimore for less than that price, and they had even been polished. I haven't bought any iron brackets yet but I've found a lot on Etsy for 1/3 of that price-- coming from stores that also have a brick-and-mortar presence like BC. Of course I understand they are a retail store and need to maintain a profit margin, etc., but to me their prices for those types of items are unrealistic for the average homeowner looking to use reclaimed pieces. As far as salvaged pieces they've done work on: the furniture pieces that they've upcycled/restored seem like they're in a more reasonable price range-- you're understandably paying more for great craftsmanship. But on the accessory side, I mean... I was in there the other day and they have wine stoppers that are basically just salvaged knobs stuck into a cork, and they're selling them for about $35-45. Let me put it this way; it's kind of like a convenience store for vintage/salvaged pieces. You know you're going to easily find what you're looking for there, but you're going to pay a hefty price. If you travel a couple miles farther down the road to the more inconvenient location (like the Habitat ReStore, or a smaller retail shop, for example) it may or may not have what you're looking for, and you may have to hunt a bit for it, but the prices make more sense. Now the market section made up of different vendors, however, is a different story. Those mini-shops have a lot of interesting things that are definitely worth a look, and the price ranges seem more tailored to the type of customer that the BC store itself aims to serve. I have had a lot of luck there. The staff throughout is always very nice and helpful. read more

My girlfriend and I found this place the last time we were in Lancaster, an decided to come back due to remembering how awesome this store is. The place is still awesome, and we really enjoyed wandering around for awhile to look for treasures. You can find a ton of different items from vintage clothes, bath & body items, old toys, decorative pieces, etc. There is so much to see that you might have to make a 2nd go around just to ensure you saw almost everything! I was extremely excited when I found retro video games there, and they were a fair price! This place is worth a look, and I guarantee you will find something great there! read more

This is one of the coolest shops in Lancaster. Building Character is set up warehouse style and gives off a hip, artsy, vibe even before you walk in the building. They sell handcrafted items created by local artists (love that so hard), and you can also find vintage or antique items on site. I got a beautiful print of the Eiffel tower printed on up cycled sheet music. I'm still crazy excited about it and can't wait to find the perfect spot for it in my home. I would say for the originality and craftsmanship involved that most items were reasonably priced, but you will for sure find a few pieces on the pricier side. If you're a fan of unique decor and local art, you will most definitely want to put this place on your list of shops to hit. It's also conveniently located in downtown Lancaster near other fun shops and restaurants. Also, winner, they totes accept credit cards. read more

The reviewer who called this "Etsy Live" is the best way to describe it. You can easily spend a lot of time exploring the different booths in Building Character. It's a great mix of homemade soaps, candles, jewelry and carpentry to vintage clothing and a sprinkling of antiques. Make sure to check out each booth and the upstairs! There's something for everyone and a lot of great gift ideas. read more

This place takes old things and makes them new again. Vintage thrift clothes, upcycled glass, refurbished antique furniture, hand-crafted accessories - there's a little of everything in this cool marketplace. I always stop in when I visit friends in the area, and it's well worth my time just to enjoy the sheer variety of it all. read more

Vintage clothes, vintage homegoods, baked goods, art prints, and handmade gifts of all sort under one roof, divided into many different stalls. I'm usually not a fan of shopping as a leisure activity, but I do enjoy strolling through the aisles of this place and checking out the goods. read more