Tucked away fifteen minutes northwest of the Main Campus lies The Cottage of Helotes Antiques, a quaint store with historic charm.
The Cottage sits among several local businesses ranging from coffee shops, diners, bars and wineries, spas and much more. Do not let the drive cause frustration — past the never-ending construction sites and otherwise pale landscape, the old-timey buildings and friendly faces of the area pleasantly welcome newcomers. The area is quite popular on fair weather days; something to keep in mind for those driving themselves there.
Notice the signs and various items outside The Cottage invites wanderers inside; feel free to peruse the one-of-a-kind collection as everything comes from local vendors.
“We have a bunch of different vendors,” Christa Vento-Jones, one of the managers at The Cottage, said. “They get to bring in whatever they want. For some people it’s things from their grandma’s house; others get it from estate sales and so on.”
Vento-Jones has worked at The Cottage for the past four years and feels as if time moves slower in the comforting environment.
“Everything has a story,” Christa said. “There was a woman who came in; she was born in the 1960s and looking for a doll. She said every year on her birthday, she finds a doll that was made the year she was born. I’ve always been drawn to antiques and what they can say.”
Inside, one will find a plethora of objects, trinkets, household goods, collectibles and many more items ready to be purchased. From stuffed animals to authentic vintage pieces, such as the 1940s English phone booth situated in the middle of the floor, The Cottage is the perfect place to browse. For media lovers, explore the selection of CDs, DVDs, vinyls, records, cameras and camcorders, and even cassette tapes. For those who want to make their space feel more like a home, the walls of The Cottage are abundantly lined with fascinating pieces of art that are sure to stop one in their tracks as they pass by. License plates from around the country boast their diversity. Also appealing to the eye is the vast selection of kitchenware available at The Cottage: floral glass plates, themed salt and pepper shakers, finely-crafted glassware, arbitrary yet whimsical decor, working appliances and much more.
The Cottage of Helotes is located at 14398 Old Bandera Rd, Helotes, Texas 78023. It is open every day from 11 a.m to 5 p.m. Whether serious about antiquing or simply seeking a spot to spend some time at, The Cottage of Helotes is waiting.
