Camas Antiques — Local services in Camas

This is one of the few antique stores I have returned to more than twice. So many I have gone to are cluttered and dusty (hard to keep it clean when there's so much stuff!) and have mostly low-quality items that they stuff on the shelves and then just leave there forever until someone buys them or they fall off the shelf and break. Camas Antiques, however, has such a great layout that they have tons of things without making you feel claustrophobic or like you need to shower once you leave. Whether it's because they sell so many items or because they continually switch out their products, there are always new things I have not seen before every time I go there, and it is always clean and looks cared-for.

The variety is another thing I love about this store. They are selective for quality but not category. Furthermore, they also have unique non-antique products, giving it a hybrid antique/gift shop feel. And they always update their non-antique products and window decorations to fit the current season. You can tell they love interior design and have a lot of fun decorating.

They have a basement, but I am not sure it is accessible without taking the stairs because it is an old building. Also, while most of the aisles are wide enough for a wheelchair or someone with mobility issues who uses a walker or crutches, it would not be easy to navigate some of the areas. But the people who work there have always been friendly in my experience, and I think they would do their best to help anyone get a closer look at an item that is not easily accessible.

It is worth noting that most of what you will find here is largely for decoration purposes. If you're looking for spare parts, they don't have those out (maybe they have some in a storage closet). I mention this because a lot of times people will go to antique stores to find replacement parts that are no longer manufactured. This is not that kind of antique store. I mention it also because I love to collect old telephones, and, sadly, the few I have found here were not functional.

Nonetheless, it is a cute store that is worth checking out because there is so much to explore...

Not family friendly.

I came in multiple times this week with my newborn and toddler. My toddler is a remarkably polite and doesn't touch things without asking first - which is amazing and why I am able to take her places. Each time we visited we had no issue and we bought many items. Then today when I came back with my husband to buy a table the woman working was extremely rude and really hurt my daughter's feelings.

My daughter was walking down the stairs where there was no railing and she accidentally bumped into a shelf and a single bar of precariously placed soap fell. I placed it back and apologized many times. The woman said it was fine and was kind about it.

I then told her there was a table I wanted to purchase and asked if she could help me remove the items that were placed on top. As I was about to lead her to the table she asked me to stay with my daughter who was with my husband. I told her she was with my husband and was fine. My daughter had picked up two pink balls of yarn after she asked my husband and he said yes. She said she's "picking up stuff" and I said "it is yarn, is she not allowed to hold it?" and the woman said "no". I was honestly shocked. My daughter was so confused why I made her put the yarn back - as I had no reason. She felt she'd something wrong and it broke my heart. We left the store immediately and my daughter kept saying she was sorry to me and her dad because she felt she'd done something wrong. I asked if she wanted the yarn and went back in, I let her grab it herself, and we bought them. The rude woman did not deserve our business but more importantly my daughter did not deserve to made to feel as if she'd done something wrong.

I'd understand if she was running around touching items and being disruptive. She was not.

It's just yarn, yes. However, I won't be coming back because how you make your customers (of any age) feel matters!!!!!

Update: Upon reading other reviews on yelp and Google, I see there are many written about this place being extremely rude to customers - especially to families with children....

• Be Caution - Safety Hazard - If you like to be poked by nails! *

I would give it negative 5 stars if I could! We were in Camas downtown last weekend. I went in the store for the first time and my brother was sitting on the bench outside the store waiting for me. Soon as he sat down, he felt two nails were pop out from the chair and poked through his back. As a courtesy we felt that we should that them know as there are many senior citizens in the city, and we don't other people to get hurt too. First we talked to the young lady at the register if the bench outside belongs to the store, or does it belongs to the city. She rolled her eye balls and replied: "yes, it belongs to us, but it's not for sale." (Like anyone would be interested in that stupid crappy bench!) Then we explained the situation to her, she just keep on say: "oh? really? really?", and she didn't even apologize to us. Another older lady behind the counter who seems to be the owner or manager who overheard our conversation, but she just avoid making eye contact with us and ABSOLUTELY NO ONE APOLOGIZED OR OFFERED ANY SOLUTION. As much as I want to support the local business, I don't feel anyone deserve be treated like this. They were rude, and showed absolutely no respect for their customers. Don't waste your time here, most of the merchandises are not true antiques, but a bunch of over priced clutters. And beware when sitting on the bench outside the store! You could be poked by...