King Richard's Antique Vintage Center — Attraction in Whittier

My sister called me after watching too many TikToks and said, “We’re going to King Richard’s.” We happened to be in Whittier, so I said, “Sure—why not?”

King Richard’s is a large indoor antique mall with three levels of vendor-run spaces. Each booth is curated—sometimes too curated, veering into almost gimmicky territory—but there’s no denying it’s a fun place to explore. One minute you’re staring at a giant oil painting of a Founding Father, the next you’re eyeing vintage green waiting room chairs with built-in ashtrays—the kind that instantly transported me back to my childhood, watching my mom calmly puff away while I wheezed through an asthma attack in the pediatrician’s office. Simpler times?

Some vendors were offering cookies, wine, water, and fresh-popped popcorn, which was a sweet surprise and made the whole experience feel festive.

Don’t miss Harry at the Antique Clock Shop. You’ll know it the moment you see it. He gave us a mini masterclass on timepieces—his passion is priceless. I didn’t leave with a clock, but now I know I want a German-made one from the late 1800s.

Downsides? Only one bathroom (and it requires a key), and parking is tight. Also, not only is this place cool—it’s actually cold. I was surprised to need my sweater while inside.

Oh—and yes, there really is an electric chair tucked among the antiques. Make of that what you will.

Overall, King Richard’s is a great way to spend a couple of hours . It’s quirky, nostalgic, and just eerie enough to keep things...

Three stories of booths that stretch forever and ever - it’s truly massive - mean this is a great place to get your steps in while also having fun shopping for antiques and collectibles. The addition of an ice cream cart vendor dressed in period-appropriate clothing may also be part of your visit you’re here on the right day.

However, I was very disappointed to see prices weren’t reasonable or even justifiable at any vendor I was seriously interested in buying from.

There was also no owner in quite a few of the booth areas that I was interested in products from, and I had questions. But there was no one to ask them of. And we visited on a day that was a big event when everyone was supposed to be there.

For these reasons, we walked away empty handed. And have since found what we wanted for lower prices at other markets in the greater LA area. I’m not sure we will return but will always keep it in mind as one of the many options LA has for vintage and...

It took me way too long to finally visit this antique shop, but I’m so glad I did! The place is filled with treasures, and there’s so much to explore. The prices are reasonable, and many vendors even have items on sale. The staff are incredibly friendly, making the experience even better.I spent about an hour exploring the main floor, which is full of unique finds. Although the upstairs is currently closed, the downstairs area is just as impressive, if not even more so than the main floor. There’s a vending machine on site, but it only offers some unusual soda flavors, so I’d recommend bringing your own water, especially since it can get quite warm on the main floor. One thing to note is that backpacks and large bags aren’t allowed, so plan accordingly. This is definitely a place where you can spend quite a few...