I have walked through a lot of antique shops across Indiana, but nothing quite prepared me for what was waiting inside Southport Antique Mall on East Southport Road in Indianapolis. The moment I stepped past the entrance, the sheer scale of the place hit me like a wave.
Room after room, aisle after aisle, booth after booth, all packed with things that tell real stories from real lives. If you have ever driven past this building and thought it looked too ordinary to bother with, trust me, you are missing something genuinely special.
This place has earned its 4.5-star rating from over 700 reviewers for good reason, and I want to share exactly why it deserves a spot on every Indiana locals weekend list.
The Sheer Size Will Absolutely Blow Your Mind
Nobody believes me when I tell them how big this place really is. Southport Antique Mall covers over 36,000 square feet of warehouse space, and that number does not fully sink in until you are standing inside it, staring down a corridor that seems to go on forever.
Multiple reviewers have described it as an optical illusion because the outside of the building gives absolutely no clue about what is happening inside.
Rooms lead into other rooms. Hallways branch off in directions you did not expect.
One shopper said she could not see everything in a single visit, and that is honestly not an exaggeration. The layout feels like a well-organized maze, and getting pleasantly lost in it is half the fun.
Maps are available near the entrance, which is a smart move because navigating 36,000 square feet without one can get overwhelming fast. The space is clean, well-lit, and thoughtfully arranged so even first-time visitors feel comfortable exploring on their own.
Whether you are a seasoned antique hunter or someone who has never browsed a vintage booth in your life, the size alone makes the trip worthwhile. Plan to spend at least two to three hours here if you want to see most of what this incredible space has to offer.
200 Plus Dealers Mean Something For Absolutely Everyone
Walking through Southport Antique Mall feels a little like attending a massive flea market curated by people who actually care about quality. With more than 200 individual dealers operating booths throughout the space, the variety on display is genuinely staggering.
You can move from a booth selling vintage cameras to one packed with sterling silver jewelry, then turn a corner and find yourself looking at old train sets and hand-painted postcards.
One local shopper mentioned finding the perfect birthday gifts for her grandfather here, including glasses, mugs, and furniture all in one visit. Another found a vintage milking stool from the early 1970s for just twenty dollars.
That kind of discovery is exactly what keeps people coming back again and again.
Because each booth is independently operated, pricing and selection vary widely from vendor to vendor. Some dealers price their items conservatively, while others lean toward collector-market rates.
The smart move is to browse everything before committing to anything, because a similar item might be available at a different booth for a better price. During busy sale periods, several vendors have offered discounts of forty and fifty percent off, which makes an already affordable experience even more rewarding.
No matter what you collect or what you love, at least one of those 200 dealers almost certainly has something that will catch your eye.
The Famous Vintage Boutique Upstairs Is A Separate Adventure
Most people come to Southport Antique Mall for the antiques on the main floor, but the real hidden gem is waiting for them upstairs. The second floor houses a dedicated vintage clothing boutique that is completely stocked with curated pieces for both men and women.
Reviewers have called it absolutely stacked, and that description is accurate.
From bell bottoms and 1970s dresses to vintage outerwear and accessories, the selection reads like a fashion history lesson. One shopper picked up a dress and bell bottoms from the seventies for a themed photoshoot and said the quality far outpassed anything she could have found at a modern retailer.
The prices upstairs are described as decent by multiple visitors, which is refreshing given how boutique vintage clothing can sometimes be priced out of reach.
Whether you are hunting for a Halloween costume, building a retro wardrobe, or just curious about fashion from past decades, this upstairs space deserves its own dedicated chunk of your visit. It operates with its own distinct vibe compared to the main floor below, feeling more like a carefully edited shop than a sprawling antique hunt.
If wearable vintage is your thing, this boutique alone is reason enough to make the drive to 2028 E Southport Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46227. Give yourself extra time because browsing the racks here is genuinely addictive.
Organized Display Cases Make Browsing A Real Pleasure
One of the things that sets Southport Antique Mall apart from a lot of other antique spaces is how thoughtfully everything is arranged. Reviewers consistently mention the glass display cases as a highlight, describing them as super organized and beautifully presented.
For anyone who has ever dug through chaotic bins at a lesser shop, the difference here is immediately noticeable.
The cases are filled with jewelry, coins, small collectibles, and specialty items that deserve to be seen properly rather than piled in a box. QR codes are posted throughout the mall so shoppers can request assistance without having to track down a staff member in person.
That kind of modern touch inside a vintage space shows that the management here actually thinks about the customer experience.
Staff members are ready to open cases and let you examine items up close, and the general consensus from reviewers is that employees are friendly and genuinely helpful. One visitor specifically praised how carefully staff wrap and package purchased items to prevent damage during transport.
The organized presentation also makes it easier to comparison shop across booths, which is useful when you are trying to decide between two similar pieces at different price points. For collectors who care about condition and presentation, this level of organization makes the whole experience feel more like a curated gallery than a typical secondhand shop.
Seasonal Sales And Events Add Even More Value To Every Visit
Timing your visit to Southport Antique Mall around one of their events or seasonal sales can turn a great trip into an exceptional one. The mall hosts special one-day sale events, including a well-attended Fall Sale in September that drew a crowd of enthusiastic shoppers and outside vendors alike.
One participant described the communication, amenities, and overall atmosphere as excellent, and said the event gave vintage items a chance to find new homes in a welcoming setting.
Beyond scheduled events, individual vendors regularly run their own promotions. During a single visit, shoppers have found booths offering forty percent and fifty percent off across entire selections.
That kind of deal is hard to pass up, especially when the base prices are already reasonable on many items. Checking the mall’s website at southportantiques.com before your visit is a smart way to stay informed about upcoming sales and events.
The mall is open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 7 PM and on Sundays from noon to 5 PM, giving you plenty of scheduling flexibility. Regular visitors tend to pop in every few weeks because dealer inventory rotates frequently, meaning new items appear constantly.
If you missed something on your last visit or spotted a piece you were not ready to commit to, there is always a reason to return. The ever-changing stock keeps even repeat shoppers finding fresh surprises every single time.
Furniture Finds And Large-Scale Pieces Are Worth The Haul
Not every antique mall has the floor space to properly display large furniture, but Southport Antique Mall absolutely does. The warehouse-style layout means dealers can set up full room vignettes with sofas, dressers, armoires, dining tables, and more without everything feeling cramped.
Walking through some of these booth setups feels a little like touring a time-traveling home show.
One reviewer mentioned that staff helpfully carried an end table to the front of the store and held it there while the customer continued browsing. That kind of service makes a real difference when you are juggling a large purchase alongside a full afternoon of shopping.
However, it is worth knowing that for bigger pieces, buyers are responsible for loading and transporting furniture themselves, so coming prepared with a truck or a large vehicle is a smart move.
Prices on furniture vary considerably depending on the vendor, the era, and the condition of the piece. Some shoppers have noted that certain items feel priced toward the higher end of the market, while others have walked away with genuinely affordable finds.
The key is patience and a willingness to explore every corner of the space. A piece that feels overpriced in one booth might have a comparable alternative three aisles over at a fraction of the cost.
Furniture hunters willing to put in the time almost always leave with something worth talking about.
The Surrounding Southport Area Makes It A Full Day Out
Making a full day out of a visit to Southport Antique Mall is easy because the surrounding area has plenty to offer before or after you browse. Long’s Bakery, a beloved Indianapolis institution, is a natural follow-up stop and was even recommended directly by a vendor who participated in the mall’s Fall Sale.
Their fresh-baked goods have been a south side staple for generations, and a brownie from Long’s after a long afternoon of antiquing is a genuinely satisfying reward.
Garfield Park, located at 2432 Conservatory Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46203, is one of the city’s oldest public parks and offers beautiful walking paths, a conservatory, and open green space that feels worlds away from the busy streets nearby. It is a wonderful place to decompress after spending a few hours inside a packed antique mall.
Families especially appreciate the combination of indoor browsing and outdoor relaxation in a single outing.
For a meal, the south Indianapolis dining scene has solid options within a short drive. Locally loved spots like Brozinni Pizzeria at 5546 S East St, Indianapolis, IN 46227 offer hearty, satisfying food that pairs well with a day of treasure hunting.
The Southport area has a genuine neighborhood feel that Indiana locals find comfortable and familiar. Combining the mall with a meal and a park visit turns a simple antique run into a memorable full-day adventure worth repeating every season.
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