Antiques on Cedros in Solana Beach to hold Sidewalk Sale and Flea Market in celebration of anniversary

By Diane Y. Welch

Antiques on Cedros is a misnomer. To use the words of owners Tony and Wanda Russo, “We are not just antiques!”

Located in the Cedros Avenue Design District close to the intersection of Lomas Santa Fe, the 5,000-square-foot Solana Beach-based showroom is nestled behind Timeless Furnishings and Patio, and is a brightly-lit showcase for objets d’arts, furnishings, collectibles, jewelry, lighting fixtures and more.

This year marks the one-year anniversary of the showroom’s opening, and to celebrate the occasion, the Russos have organized a community sidewalk sale and flea market from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. the weekend of Sept. 13-14. There will be special offers, discounted prices and live music.

“There will be something for everyone,” Tony Russo said.

With a view to bring the community together, and through their membership in the Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce, Antiques on Cedros has partnered with James Couzens and Jason DeCors of The Rockademy located on Stevens Avenue in Solana Beach. They will have several of their students perform music at the venue, where there will be a festival atmosphere.

The showroom serves as a retail venue for local vendors who rent booths and display a variety of merchandise that ranges from shabby chic furniture, to Tiffany-style lamps and vintage chandeliers, dining ware, vintage sporting goods, collectible comics, rare Lalique glassware, art, vinyl records, an antique piano, a Victrola, home and garden ornaments and more. In all, more than 50 dealers supply “new treasures everyday,” said Russo.

Native New Yorkers, both from the Bronx, the Russos were brought to San Diego just over a year ago through family connections. They had visited their son, who is a chef in Chula Vista, and like so many visitors to the region, decided to stay.

Having been in business for themselves previously, although not in antiques, they welcomed their new venture after they retired from running a café in Tampa, Fla. Daniel Mellgren, who has a booth in their showroom and has been in the antiques business for 30 years, mentored the pair. Mellgren has a vast collection, which includes gentlemen’s antiques, ephemera, vintage sporting goods, militaria, globes and maps.

“Dan comes in every day. He is able to check on the authenticity of items and educate us about antiques,” said Russo. “We constantly learn about new things and we also work very closely with our other vendors. It’s definitely a collaboration.”

Other types of merchandise include dinosaur fossils, pre-Colombian pottery and rare antiquities from Dr. Geoffrey Smith, and hand-crafted jewelry from Solana Beach artist Linda Melvin, along with estate and antique jewelry, all priced to sell, said Russo.

Several of the vendors will be out on the sidewalk and the area will be cordoned off. Russo is encouraging people to walk down to the venue or park remotely and walk there. People of all ages are welcome to stop by. Light refreshments will be served.

This weekend event is the first of several planned for the rest of the year with the next one, which will spotlight local fine artists, scheduled for next month.

Call 858-704 4900 or visit antiquesoncedros.com for more information, to inquire about vendor or consignment opportunities, or to peruse some of the current items for sale. Open seven days a week, the Antiques on Cedros showroom is located at 118 Cedros Ave. in Solana Beach.