The Depot Antique Gallery opened on 11 Lebanon St. this March, replacing Evergreen Gallery and Gifts after 35 years of business. Open Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Hamilton location is the sister store to their Bouckville location, which is open seven days a week.
Manager Olivia Coyle emphasized that while the Hamilton location is smaller, it was opened with the hope of expanding the company’s reach.
“This location is a little smaller than our flagship store in Bouckville, which is 7000 square feet,” Coyle said. “But the goal of opening here in Hamilton was to fill a void in the antique and vintage market.”
Coyle said that the shop offers a wide range of items, hoping to appeal to a broad set of customers, not just antiquers.
“We offer products for everybody,” Coyle said. “From vintage clothing, jewelry, furniture, books, home decor, records, to apothecary and wellness products, our main clientele is everyone.”
According to Coyle, the store has been well-received since its March opening.
“The opening has gone fabulously,” Coyle said. “We aim to sell products for both students and locals, and so far we have received great support.”
Sophomore Elliot Johnson visited the store and expressed an interest in returning in the future.
“I enjoyed the shop, and even though I didn’t get anything, I will be back,” Johnson said. “They had decent stuff from the 1970s for a good price, and I will be taking another look.”
Beyond its wide selection, one of the defining features of The Depot Antique Gallery is its constantly changing inventory. According to Coyle, new items are brought into the store every week, ensuring that each visit offers something different. This rotation not only keeps the space fresh but also encourages customers to return frequently in search of new finds.
“We are always bringing in new items,” Coyle said. “We want people to feel like they can come back and see something different every time. We hope our new inventory every week will bring a fun shopping experience to customers.”
Sophomore Shegufta Mehjabeen appreciated the store opening since it provides a nearby opportunity to go antiquing, an activity she enjoys.
“I love antique shopping, so it is really nice to have a place like this so close to campus,” Mehjabeen said. “It gives us something fun to do in the village, even if it’s just looking around, especially since it is different from the other stores nearby.”
While the flagship Bouckville location is only 10 minutes away by car, it poses a challenge for students without a car who want to go antique shopping. This new addition to the village allows Colgate students to buy records and decor for their dorms and apartments right here in town.
For Johnson, Depot Antique added to the eclectic mix of shops to explore while spending time in the village.
“I had a great morning on Saturday,” Johnson said. “I went to town to grab some food and walk around while it was warm out, and the Depot gave me another thing to do while there — walk around and look at the cool antique items.”
As a small village, Hamilton has limited dining and retail options, especially within walking distance of Colgate’s campus. The addition of The Depot Antique Gallery will fill the gap in the antique goods market left by Evergreen’s closure.
