When it comes to sustainable gifting, what’s old is new again. Sonoma County is brimming with beautifully curated vintage boutiques and dealers with a keen eye for one-of-a-kind treasures perfect for giving, decorating, and wearing this holiday season.
Here are some of our favorite places for quirky, nostalgic, and cool finds, where the joy of discovery is around every corner.
By the team of Isabel Beer, Jennifer Graue, Emma Molloy, Melanie Nguyen, Carey Sweet, and Matt Villano.
Cloverdale
Mavis & Mavis
Erin and Lyle Mewes ran out of room in their home for their beloved antiques and vintage goods, but rather than give up going to flea markets and antique sales — one of their favorite pastimes — the Cloverdale couple last year opened a store instead. Mavis & Mavis (the store’s name is a phonetic pronunciation of the couple’s German last name) isn’t filled with only oldies but goodies, though; rather, it’s a home goods and gift store that reflects their personal style, which Erin describes as “a love of antiques with a modern twist.”
Among new artisan goods, such as locally made candles and hand-forged cheese knives, shoppers might also find antique olive-picking baskets, chapati rollers from India, and remnants of 100-year-old Turkish rugs that have been repurposed into runners, floor mats, and pillows — perfect for gifting or a home decor refresh. “We have made an effort to normalize giving vintage,” says Erin. Their top seller is a “blind date with a book” — a vintage book wrapped in a brown paper with a bare description of the book’s genre. “I’m a huge reader. I love finding first edition and out-of-print books,” she says. “Finding the right person for them is such an amazing gift.” 117 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale. 707-955-6766, erinmavis.com/mavismavis
Favorite Things with Erin & Lyle Mewes of Mavis & Mavis
Holiday Traditions
Erin: The tree lighting in the plaza in Healdsburg. I just love the tradition of all of the shops being open, everyone in town flooding the square, the countdown to the tree being lit. It just feels like Stars Hollow (from “Gilmore Girls”). It reminds me of Christmases raising kids which I think are the most magical Christmases you have. Now we’re big fans of the Geyserville Tractor Parade. It’s just classic small town.
Shopping day bites
Lyle: When we are in Petaluma we love to go to Stockhome. In Geyserville we go to Corner Project. We love it. They always know who you are and what they turn out of that little, tiny kitchen is unbelievable. It’s tucked away and excellent food. And they have music on Saturday nights which is always fun.
Favorite vintage gift
Lyle: For my birthday one year Erin got me a program from the 1973 World Tattoo Exhibition in San Francisco. On the cover was artwork from a famous tattoo artist, Lyle Tuttle, which is my first name as well. I loved it. I actually got the artwork on my arm.
Guerneville
Emerald Era
Michelle Morales and her husband, Benjamin Miles, traded in the dazzling lights and blustery winters of the Windy City for the small-town charm of Guerneville nearly two years ago. She left behind a career as a music teacher to pursue her love of vintage clothing, which started at a young age. “It began, I would say, with the nostalgic feeling of old cinema,” says Morales, noting her parents introduced her to classic Hollywood films at the local video store. “I just became enamored with the covers of these films and I would pick out a few every time and just immerse myself in that.”
Today, Morales runs an online shop, Emerald Era, out of her small home studio. The vintage clothing she curates exudes Hollywood glamour inspired by starlets of the silver screen like Marlene Dietrich and Audrey Hepburn. Morales travels to some of the world’s most fashionable cities to seek out timeless styles for her themed capsule collections. Her holiday collection ranges from a casual green and red plaid shirtdress to New Year’s Eve party-perfect frocks like a 1940s purple crushed-velvet dress. To complete the look, Emerald Era also stocks purses, jewelry, shoes, and accessories, such as a black velvet purse adorned with beaded Christmas trees. emeralderavintage.com
Duncans Mills
Revolution Vinyl & Vintage
In the historic 1877 Victorian burg of Duncans Mills, this particularly nostalgic destination is a salute to times gone by when music lovers would gather around a record player and really listen, pore over liner notes together, and embrace the authentic, sometimes slightly scratchy sounds of an album. Shop owner Tommy Bannister is all about such throwbacks, with his collections that span a gently loved 1968 Vanilla Fudge album (“Season of the Witch!”), and a sexy 1959 German Normande Electra AM/FM/SW tube radio with a rare satellite extension speaker.
“I studied art, history, and anthropology, and previously ran an antique store, so have always loved vintage,” he says. Bannister is a rock star himself, partnering with his neighbor Sophie’s Cellars (a rustic bungalow tasting room showcasing limited production bottlings from across Sonoma County), for monthly Soup, Wine, and Funk parties sharing — well, soup and wine — while “DJ Tommy B” spins his favorite deep cuts. “I curate all my items, from records to stereos,” he says. “A lot of it just finds me, organically.” Shoppers can make a day of it in Duncans Mills. The postage stamp-sized village on the banks of the Russian River is jam-packed with treasures, spilling out of some two dozen unique cottage shops and art galleries set around communal gardens. 25171 Highway 116, Duncans Mills. 707-721-2358, duncansmillsvillage.com
Petaluma
Jess Brown
At first glance, Jess Brown looks like a clothing boutique — and it is one, featuring classic wardrobe pieces from designer Jess Brown, but a closer peek reveals a collection of carefully curated vintage treasures woven throughout: a Swedish butterfly wall tapestry, a set of Japanese sauce dishes, and a collection of antique Japanese trunks called tansu. They blend seamlessly with the timeless quality of her clothing and handpicked new art and ceramics pieces.
There’s an air of days gone by in the quilts and rag dolls Brown makes with fabric scraps from her clothing line. The rag dolls, an item that became so popular they landed Brown in the pages of “Martha Stewart Living” and on the “Today Show,” are no longer her focus, but she makes custom orders on request. Brown considers her shop an extension of her home, filled with all her favorite things. That includes a midcentury modern living area in the front so customers can hang out and chat. Brown especially loves seeing new friendships forged there. “I have this perfect balance of all the things I enjoy and a space that helps customers see what it might look like to live with things that are meant to endure the test of time.” 144 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. 707-782-3290, jessbrowndesign.com
Celebrate at Jess Brown with a winter community art show and concert by Bela Haye & Sloan Irving from 6-9 p.m., Dec. 13.
Favorite Things with Jess Brown of Jess Brown Designs
Favorite vintage gift
My daughter turned 27 on Aug. 27 and her name is Stella Brown and I found a thimble from the 1600s — a silver thimble, engraved SB. I had it made into a pendant for her. It’s my favorite thing I’ve ever found or given. It made me go out of my mind that it even existed.
Holiday traditions
I like intimate events a lot. On Dec. 13 we’re hosting a concert. That is going to be a beautiful December event. I like intimate gatherings that are not fussy, that make you want to get dressed up a little bit, but not stuffy or formal.
Finding peace in the busy season
I go almost every day to a thrift store or every weekend to a flea market. For me it’s a really meditative process to wander through open marketplaces. That’s refreshing to me. The best way for me to unwind is in my backyard with a cup of tea.
Healdsburg
Hudson Street Vintage
For years, the east side of Healdsburg has been known for its tasting rooms and access to the Russian River. Now, with the opening in July of Hudson Street Vintage in the Old Roma Station building, it’s easy to while away an afternoon sipping and shopping away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby square. Owner Constance Brown is no stranger to the world of rare and retro finds; she opened Healdsburg Vintage in 2009 and sold it to Modern Antiquarium in 2016.
All told, the new shop represents her fifth collective. “I couldn’t stay away,” she jokes. “I like this business too much.” Options at the newest store, which features 13 vendors, are eclectic. For those already looking forward to Country Summer, Western Sky Vintage curates a collection of previously loved cowboy boots and Western shirts. Fiori, run by fifth-generation Healdsburger Dawna Hoskins, celebrates the 1970s with Eames chairs and throwback housewares.
Perhaps the best part about shopping at Hudson Street Vintage: the neighborhood vibe. Every Wednesday at Fogbelt Brewing Company is Neighborhood Night with $10 cheese pizzas, and on Sundays at Emmitt-Scorsone Wines across the street, chef Mateo Granados cooks up a brunch featuring ingredients grown in the on-site garden. Tasting rooms at Old Roma Station are open by appointment and for walk-ins, as well. 51 Front St., Healdsburg. 707-387-2243, Instagram.com/hudsonstreetvintage
Sebastopol
Hero
Owners Bart Levine and Sally Hurd have such a passion for sustainability that they point out they’ve been together for 49 years. The husband-and-wife duo love to collect antiques, plus build their own custom contemporary furniture, then design client homes around an increasingly fashionable concept — vintage meets modern. Whether new or old, “we demand quality and timeless pieces,” Levine says. “Every piece has a story,” he says of the 17th to 19th century pieces and ’40s to ’60s retro enchantments at their Sebastopol store. “And our own works will last a lifetime, actually even longer.”
One petite chandelier is an elegant ball of crystal flowers that looks both modern and old-school elegant at the same time — it turns out it is indeed antique, with a Gatsby flair. Many of Hero’s larger vintage items come stamped with a maker’s mark, but so do smaller gifts like a leather driving cap, worthy of handing down through future generations. “We don’t want things to be disposable,” says Hurd. “And it’s wonderful to see so many younger people embracing that idea these days.” 6791 Sebastopol Ave., Suite 160, Sebastopol. 415-366-5886, herocalifornia.com, Instagram.com/hero_california
Santa Rosa
T206
For small but unique vintage gifts, T206 Cards is a spot not only for sports fans, but anyone who would appreciate an artful, pocket-sized present. After finding success selling sports and collector’s cards online, owner Justin Farber left a 10-year career in advertising to follow his passion for collecting vintage baseball cards, opening the shop on a quiet corner in downtown Santa Rosa in April. He’s found joy in the brick-and-mortar location. “Helping a big bank make more money just isn’t very fun. But getting to deal with collectibles and seeing people have a smile on their face and sharing something they’re passionate about with you was a lot more appealing to me,” says Farber.
Naturally, there are vintage sports cards (you never know when you’ll stumble on a mint condition Mickey Mantle), but T206 also stocks a wide variety of collector cards that date back to the 1880s, including tobacco cards found in cigarette packets and cards sold with caramel candies. They feature images of everything from antique cars to exotic birds and glamorous stars of Hollywood’s golden era. Farber sees the cards as a depiction of American history and shares those stories with his customers. He also carries vintage postcards, some featuring Sonoma County landmarks. 684 Seventh St., Santa Rosa. 707-787-0152, t206cards.com
Kenwood
Mayacamas Home
This curated shop of artisan housewares comes from designer Shawn Hall and brims with uncommon charm. Her firm, Shawn E. Hall Designs, specializes in vintage-modern French style, peppered with global touches like repurposed, handmade Moroccan market baskets, plus original chipped paint, iron window grilles from Tunisia. You can see her imagination on display with her work on 18 restaurants and 16 tasting rooms across the Bay Area, including Willi’s Seafood and Costeaux French Bakery in Healdsburg, and the Vaughn Duffy tasting room a stone’s throw from her shop.
Hall repurposes and refinishes items herself, from century-old hand-carved corbels (think fancy brackets) that look terrific as plant hangers, to a pedal-powered T-Bird sedan destined for a lucky child. Stocking stuffers include statement costume jewelry, perfectly preserved textiles crafted in far-away lands, and modern treats like hand-carved olive wood tableware. Mayacamas Home also hosts a picker pop-up, El Junko Loco, which has an eclectic collection of rustic vintage finds. 9255 Sonoma Hwy., Kenwood. 415-317-4136, shawnehalldesigns.com
Favorite Things with Shawn Hall of Mayacamas Home
Vintage gift
Thirty years ago, I discovered my first pair of gorgeous carved Turkish gates and that inspired me to design and build with salvaged materials. As a gift to myself, I ended up building two amazing cabinets from deconstructed Eastlake doors and old fence boards and then hung the Turkish gates on the front. I have used vintage salvage in all my projects to date.
Shopping day bites
After searching for treasures at Summer Cottage in Petaluma, there is nothing better than a bowl of crab bisque or slice of quiche at Water Street Bistro. Or if in Graton, I hunt for old painted benches and shutters at Mr. Ryder, then I love having a perfect cocktail and crispy fried chicken at Underwood Bar and Bistro.
Holiday tradition
I celebrate holiday cheer at the beautiful Grandma Buddy’s Christmas Tree Farm in Graton. Their white sleigh barn is full of vintage treasures and flocked trees that make your imagination soar. I like to bring biscuits and gravy to the shop helpers to get them through the long season, and my granddaughter loves cutting our own tree there.
Sebastopol
Antique Society
A true collector’s Nirvana, the sprawling space goes on and on, encompassing 20,000 square feet of numerous meticulously staged rooms and patios showcasing more than 125 independent dealers, all managed by store owners Angela and Bryan Vidinsky. The collectors stock everything from old-time fringed leather cowboy jackets to a 1968 domed metal Snoopy lunchbox complete with a thermos (this year is “Peanuts'” 75th anniversary) to hundreds of different holiday themed knickknacks and ornaments. The only universal theme, says Angela, who also searches out her own selections for the store, is that pieces hopefully evoke “emotion, memories, and connection.”
Check out the cheeky Savage Sublime nook. Owners Brandi and Danny Graves have an eye for art, high style, and also a playful side, evidenced by a sumptuous movie star weekend getaway set of a retro-faux-leopard-skin jacket and matching valise (your giftee should take a train trip and turn heads). With so much to explore, a refueling stop may be in order. Enjoy a gourmet sandwich, quiche, or pastry at Society Bakery Café at the collective’s entrance or pick up some of their homemade preserves, jams, sauces, and spreads in pretty jars for a delicious holiday gift (the blueberry-lemon-basil jam is especially great with goat cheese). Antique Society, 2661 Gravenstein Hwy S., Sebastopol. 707-829-1733, antiquesociety.com; Society Bakery Café, 707-861-9665, societybakerycafe.com
Sonoma
Lady Buck Vintage
Housed in a retrofitted 1960s auto shop with soaring ceilings and big bay doors, Lady Buck Vintage embodies the spirit of giving new life to the timeworn. This collective of 15 vendors, which opened in spring, offers a kaleidoscope of nostalgia, color, and joy. Co-owners Lindsay MacDonald and Alex Borges share the welcoming space with creative collaborators including Nanette Albano, granddaughter of local icon Mary Fazio (Mary’s Pizza Shack founder), who offers midcentury items and — for shoppers there at just the right time — Mary’s Pizza memorabilia.
From museum-worthy Native turquoise, coral, and leather jewelry sold by J. Bear and Colleen Ocenas — the gemstones lovingly repaired by Bear, a Native American artisan — to Leah McNally’s Vintagelandia featuring cookware from a time when avocado-green kitchens were all the rage, everything here — even the music — evokes the past. The atmosphere is multifarious, welcoming, and maximalist — a riot of striking, evocative heirlooms. MacDonald says it’s all about a shift from the “gray era” of minimalism: “The vibrant, bold, happy, colorful treasures are really back in style.” This wonderland, where each corner tells a story, is for shoppers seeking to brighten their day — especially those appreciative of “intentional clutter,” a trend defying minimalism by displaying cherished trinkets and design pieces in a harmonious, meaningful way. 16903 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma. 707-343-8752, ladybuckvintage.com
Santa Rosa
Bird’s Nest
When you walk into Bird’s Nest in Santa Rosa’s Montgomery Village the first thing your eyes are likely to be drawn to is the store’s unique organization scheme. The goods, a mix of newer consignment clothing and vintage wares, are coordinated by color, making for an aesthetically pleasing and easier shopping experience. Among the rainbow array of items shoppers will find a plethora of vintage jewelry and purses to top off a holiday look, as well as small vintage furnishings and tableware, such as teapots and cups for a colorful holiday tea. They also sell vintage ornaments and decor to deck the halls. Owner Jan Cheek says the store is focused especially on small items that fit perfectly into a travel bag, for those who need to travel with holiday gifts in tow. 525 Hahman Drive, Santa Rosa. 707-527-8586, birdsnestsantarosa.com
Sonoma
Trove
If you’ve ever wished you could stumble into a closet full of perfectly broken-in jeans and archival designer gems, Trove is a true find. But for the boutique’s co-owners, Lauren Herrera and Irayna Basta, the magic of vintage isn’t just in the clothing, it’s in the stories behind each piece. The pair has their own backstory, first meeting in the Valley of the Moon Nursery School parking lot dropping off their toddlers while rocking enviable outfits. “We were kind of checking each other out like, ‘OK, who’s this stylish mom?’” laughs Basta. “Pretty soon we realized we both wanted the same thing — a vintage shop that felt modern and wearable.”
The two fashion-school grads (Basta styled runways in New York, while Herrera built a jaw-dropping vintage collection) bonded over a love of timeless, natural fabrics — an ethos on display at Trove where racks are filled only with cotton, wool, linen, and silk — not a stitch of polyester or spandex. Items range from vintage band tees to archival Missoni knits and Balenciaga dresses. Herrera says their goal is to make vintage approachable. “We want things you can wear to work, to the park with your kids, or out for a glass of wine.” The shop also carries men’s and kids wear, quirky knickknacks, and an extensive vinyl collection displayed as art. “Shopping vintage should feel like a treasure hunt,” says Herrera. “When you find something you connect with, you value it more.” 423 First St. W., Sonoma. 707-231-1210, trovesonoma.com
Favorite Things with Irayna Basta & Lauren Herrera of Trove
Favorite vintage gift
Herrera: When I was in eighth grade, my grandmother took me up to her attic in Texas and showed me three wardrobes of clothes she had collected throughout her life and never gotten rid of. For my eighth-grade graduation, I wore a beautiful mandarin collar, hand-printed dress from Indonesia that she had. That was the beginning of it all for me.
Basta: Starting when I was 18 or 19, my dad would give me a vintage T-shirt every year for Christmas from his personal collection. He’s a die-hard Giants fan and a rock ’n’ roll encyclopedia, so a lot of my favorite shirts came from him. I got my suitcase stolen when I moved back from New York. And so, like, a dozen of those T shirts, are out there on the streets somewhere.
Shopping day bites
Herrera: We love to plug the old standbys — grabbing a glass of wine at the bar at Dough or a pizza from PizzaLeah always hits the spot.
Winter hibernation ritual
Basta: I love making bone broth and having days where I’m just mending in my home studio — repairing, re-dyeing or reworking pieces. If it’s cold, I’ll stay in PJs and drink my weight in broth while I sew.
Healdsburg
Doram Goods
Quirky art, interesting objects, and classic books with gorgeous covers characterize the collection at Doram Goods. Design guru and Healdsburg resident Amber Isaacs’ impeccably styled space can be found a few twists and turns inside the Modern Antiquarium, a collective in downtown Healdsburg owned by Diane Moore and Kim Fiori. Isaacs curates this eclectic inventory, as well as a varied collection of vintage lamps and pendant lights that she herself has rewired. She finds these items all over the Bay Area — at flea markets, estate sales, thrift stores, and online art auctions. “It’s a treat to give these sorts of things new life,” says Isaacs, who has roughly 200 pieces in her shop at any given time. “I only sell art and items I would have in my own home.”
Isaacs is a relative newcomer to the vintage scene; she moved to Healdsburg during the Covid-19 pandemic and opened her space in the collective in 2022. She says her mother’s eclectic taste in art was a huge inspiration for the vibe of the shop, and notes that the name of the business — Doram — is a mashup of her mother’s name (Dory) and her own (Amber).
In addition to her space, Isaacs runs a flourishing Instagram account. She also recently launched a service through which she helps clients put together “story walls” for a home or office that almost always revolve around sentimental objects. In the world of vintage, every piece means something to someone. 452 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 707-433-5050, doramgoods.com
Favorite Things with Amber Isaacs of Doram Goods
Vintage gift
The best one I’ve ever given was to my dad: a signed and framed photograph of [boxer] Joe Louis. My dad is a big boxing fan and he’s notoriously hard to shop for. Today the photo sits in his office.
Holiday tradition
I love supporting the holiday markets. The Soco Market in Santa Rosa is great for gifts. Our family also goes to Old Red Tree Farm in Windsor to get our Christmas tree. Finally, we eat Dungeness crab in November and December — we usually get that from Anna’s Seafood.
Winter hibernation ritual
My favorite way to hibernate is to hang out on the couch with my family watching adventure movies. With a fire going. If it’s raining, sometimes I’ll do some thrifting. Some of my favorite thrift stores are Forgotten Felines’ Pick of the Litter Thrift & Gift in Santa Rosa and Flip Side Thrift in Rohnert Park.
Healdsburg
Forager
This self-titled modern mercantile is firmly vintage luxe, curating new goods (like a designer carbon steel wok), alongside singular heirlooms (think Murano glass bowls, a set of mushroom-adorned French canape plates, and an elegant letter opener with a resin Labrador dog head and horn handle). Opened in 2021 by Karen Reul and Elizabeth Pinkham, prices at this genteel space often reflect quality.
Recent treasures include a midcentury American Reed & Barton “Denmark” Coffee Service ($595) still gleaming like the day it was crafted in the 1950s by Scandinavian metalsmith John Prip, and a 19th century copper plate engraving depicting six birds in meticulous detail ($498), perfect for the ornithologist who has everything. This eclectic salon also supports local artisans. Among the newly crafted items are limited edition handblown vases and glassware from Michael Dickinson of Dickinson Glass in Sebastopol; holiday entertaining and gifting favorites include vases and cocktail vessels done in the Venetian glass-making techniques. 310 Center St., Healdsburg. 707-756-5003, foragerhealdsburg.com
Geyserville
Gin’gilli’s Vintage Home
Loosely translated, gingilli is an Italian word meaning a lot of little things together, and that’s exactly what you’ll find in this 5,000-square-foot red barn in which dozens of avid collectors and vendors come together to offer cherished possessions along with some curiosities, all artfully displayed in themes of “tattered, chic, and hip.” Co-owner Elisa Burroughs and her mom, Linda Elgin, unveiled the store in 2009, taking over the old wood warehouse that was once an automobile business. There are nods to nostalgia around every corner, with one-of-a-kind holiday ornaments, well-loved baseballs, mercantile pantry tins, and kiddie toys from back in the day when tiny fire trucks were made from die-cut cast iron.
You might be tempted to keep a TV dinner tray set for yourself, wobbly metal mini-tables painted in farmstand-style rooster designs. An antique, custom-painted wood cocktail cart with roller wheels would look perfect in any martini-loving home. Throw in some 1960s Kahlua mudslide barware glasses adorned with Atomic-Age gold stars and rockets to complete the retro look. Periodic pop-ups keep things interesting, such as recent indie vendors, Santa Rosa’s Pyrite and Pearls (handmade freshwater pearl, gemstone jewelry, and wire crochet jewelry). As you shop, you often can find guest wineries offering tastes, like Lampson Family Wines of Alexander Valley. 21079 Geyserville Ave., Suite E, Geyserville. 707-857-3509, gingillis.com
