Discover R.S. Butler’s Trading Company in Northwood, NH—a colorful, retro-cool antique shop full of 60s and 70s style, vintage treasures, and surprises for all ages.
Welcome to another stop on The Secret Cupboard Series—where I share those quirky, off-the-beaten-path vintage spots you’ll want to visit again and again.
This weekend’s gem? R.S. Butler’s Trading Company in Northwood, New Hampshire. A shop so wildly eclectic and retro-cool, it felt like I stepped straight into the late 60s and early 70s. Picture this: mannequins in peaceful protest, racks of vintage clothing, psychedelic patterns, and the brightest daisy pin I ever thrifted.
Whether you’re into antiques, mid-century fashion, or just love a good story wrapped in groovy nostalgia, this antique shop for all ages absolutely delivers!
Ready for a quick peek inside one of the most colorful, retro-cool antique shops in New Hampshire?
Here’s a fun 60-second video tour of R.S. Butler’s Trading Company, complete with Partridge Family vibes, mannequins in protest, daisy pins, vintage fashion, and all the quirky treasures that made this stop so unforgettable. Turn up the volume and enjoy the ride!
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Where to Find R.S. Butler’s Trading Company in Northwood, New Hampshire
R.S. Butler’s Trading Company is tucked away along Route 4 in Northwood, New Hampshire, also known as Antique Alley. a well-loved stretch filled with vintage, antique, and secondhand shops. The shop is located at 102 1st New Hampshire Turnpike, Northwood, NH, just less than an hour north of Portsmouth, NH, and under an hour from East Wakefield, where we were camping for the weekend. Get Directions
If you’re planning a visit to Antique Alley, this shop is a must-stop. It’s easily accessible from nearby towns like Concord, Portsmouth, and Dover, making it a great day-trip destination for vintage lovers, road-trippers, and curious travelers of all ages.
The building itself is unassuming from the outside, but step inside and you’re immediately immersed in one of the most colorful and eclectic antique shops in New Hampshire, if not all of New England. Whether you’re coming from Maine, the Lakes Region, or just passing through, R.S. Butler’s Trading Company is worth going out of your way for.
Travel Tip:
Route 4 can be a bit busy at times, so keep an eye out for the pink building with the bold black and yellow sign. There’s parking out front, and it’s an easy in-and-out stop along your vintage route.
Inside R.S. Butler’s Trading Company: A Retro Time Warp of Vintage Finds
From the outside, R.S. Butler’s Trading Company is nothing short of charming, painted in pink with a welcoming, almost whimsical feel that immediately draws you in. But stepping through the front door? That’s where the real surprise begins. This isn’t your typical antique shop, and maybe that’s the point, after all, it’s called a Trading Company for a reason.
“It was like walking through a living museum of vintage fashion, protest, and color.”
Inside, you’re greeted by a wild and wonderful collision of eras, styles, and stories. The space unfolds like a retro time warp, packed floor-to-ceiling with vintage finds, funky displays, and even a few four-legged locals. One of the first things you’ll notice, aside from the color and energy, is the handwritten sign reminding guests not to trip over Birdie, the Newfoundland dog snoozing just inside the entrance. I was told there are five in total, but I only met one (and yes, he was enormous and adorable).
Just know: photos only scratch the surface of what makes this shop so unforgettable.
What You’ll Find Inside R.S. Butler’s Trading Company: A Mix of Vintage, Retro, and the Delightfully Unexpected
R.S. Butler’s Trading Company is anything but ordinary. Every aisle and room feels like a new chapter, whether you’re passing by a trio of mannequins styled in full-on Jackie O fashion, complete with tailored jackets, silk scarves, leather belts, and strands of pearls, or rounding the corner to a wall of vintage curtains. Some displays, like this one, channel a more refined, retro office-chic vibe, while others take a far funkier turn.
You’ll find extravagant vintage curtains, retro signage, costume jewelry, antique tools, and even the occasional taxidermy surprise. The shop flows like a winding story, where every turn brings a new treasure, and no two booths or rooms feel the same.
Then there are the mannequins. Posed mid-protest, these vintage forms (dressed in era-appropriate fashion) create an installation that’s equal parts unexpected, thought-provoking, and quirky in the best way. It’s this blend of art-meets-antiques that sets this Trading Company apart from your everyday antique store.
From the nostalgic to the downright funky, it’s a shop that invites you to linger, explore, and laugh out loud at least once or twice. It’s a place for all ages and all people, where younger generations can fall in love with vintage fashion, and those of us who lived through the 60s and 70s can reflect, connect, and appreciate the story each piece tells.
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Wingo’s Wecords: Vintage Vinyl Inside R.S. Butler’s Trading Company
Tucked inside R.S. Butler’s Trading Company, you’ll also find a vintage vinyl treasure trove known as Wingo’s Wecords, a passion project turned second business by co-owner Don, whose love for music began with a Beach Boys 45 and never stopped.
Named after Don’s nickname from his college basketball days (a nod to Knicks player Hawthorne Wingo), Wingo’s Wecords is so much more than a record stall. It’s a deep collection of vintage vinyl, music memorabilia, and one-of-a-kind finds that will stop any music lover in their tracks. From classic rock and jazz to soul, folk, disco, and even spoken word, Wingo’s offers something for every era and ear.
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What I Bought (and Left Behind) at R.S. Butler’s Trading Company
As much as I loved every inch of R.S. Butler’s Trading Company, I left with just one small treasure, a vintage daisy pin that now hangs inside our RV, Pearl. It came from a display unlike any other: a group of mannequins peacefully protesting, gathered around a large yellow ball and decked out in retro pins, scarves, and vintage flair.
That daisy pin felt like the perfect keepsake to reflect this wildly eclectic shop and the whole vibe of our weekend RV antiquing road trip. And since we collect meaningful pins to hang on a banner inside Pearl, it fit right in.
What tempted me most? Pretty much everything. From a full room of vintage curtains to drawers brimming with linens and tablecloths, I could have spent hours digging. But if you’ve been following me for a while, you know that when a shop is this visually rich, wall-to-wall treasures in every direction, I sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed by the beauty of it all. And that’s exactly what happened here. I didn’t come with anything specific in mind, so I left with just the one perfect piece (and hundreds of ideas).
That said, I’ll absolutely be back. The vintage brass alone is worth a return trip, candlesticks, door knockers, chandeliers, and yes, there were so many chandeliers. When I’m ready to hunt for one, I know exactly where I’ll go. I also loved the racks of leather bags, vintage belts, and boots, not to mention the men’s Woolrich jackets hanging proudly on the wall.
If you’re into vintage pottery, there were beautiful dishware pieces that reminded me of early Crate & Barrel-style ceramics, and the back barn? It was packed with larger furnishings: ornate chairs, vintage mirrors, wooden suitcases, and beautifully aged furniture. Honestly, it felt like a secret stash for interior designers, every piece told a story and would be stunning in the right home.
So no, I didn’t walk out with a haul, but I walked out with a favorite pin, a full camera roll, and the feeling that this is a shop I’ll never forget. And I’ll be back, with a little more room in the RV next time.
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Why R.S. Butler’s Trading Company Is a Must-Visit Antique Shop in New Hampshire
Whether you’re a vintage collector, a curious road tripper, or just love discovering places that tell a story, R.S. Butler’s Trading Company is absolutely worth the stop. Here’s why this quirky, colorful shop stands out:
If you’re planning a trip along New Hampshire’s Antique Alley, don’t miss this one. I only had time to visit R.S. Butler’s Trading Company on this trip, but this stretch of Route 4 is lined with antique shops just waiting to be explored. I’m already looking forward to going back and seeing what else this vintage-rich area has to offer.
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Plan Your Visit to R.S. Butler’s Trading Company
If you’re ready to experience one of New Hampshire’s most eclectic and colorful antique shops, here’s everything you need to know before heading to R.S. Butler’s Trading Company. Whether you’re planning a day trip along Antique Alley or just passing through Northwood, this stop is well worth putting on your vintage travel list.
Address:
R.S. Butler’s Trading Company
102 1st New Hampshire Turnpike (Route 4)
Northwood, NH 03261
Hours:
Open Daily: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Closed Tuesdays and major holidays.
(But as always, check their Facebook page for the most up-to-date hours or holiday closures.)
Helpful Tips Before You Go:
Whether you’re a lifelong antique hunter or just love exploring shops that tell a story, R.S. Butler’s Trading Company is a must-visit stop along New Hampshire’s vintage trail. Discover more from this southern New Hampshire antiquing RV trip here.
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A Vintage Lover’s Takeaway from R.S. Butler’s Trading Company
This shop surprised me in the very best way. From the peaceful mannequins protesting in scarves and pearls to the racks of vintage fashion and colorful retro decor, R.S. Butler’s Trading Company felt more like a walk through a living museum than a typical antique store. It was immersive, fun, unexpected, and absolutely unforgettable.
As someone who loves eclectic vintage decorating, I walked away inspired. The layers of color, texture, and personality gave me so many ideas. I found myself reimagining how to use bold fashion pieces, mix eras, and lean into those unexpected touches that make a space feel soulful. From taxidermy and protest pins to vibrant rugs and retro signage, this place reminded me that vintage decorating is about storytelling, not perfection.
Have you ever visited R.S. Butler’s Trading Company? I’d love to hear what treasures you found, or if you have other hidden gem shops I should explore next! Drop a comment below or send me a message.
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Frequently Asked Questions About R.S. Butler’s Trading Company
Is R.S. Butler’s Trading Company open daily?
R.S. Butler’s Trading Company is typically open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, but they are closed on Tuesdays and major holidays. It’s always best to check their Facebook page for current hours before visiting.
Where is R.S. Butler’s Trading Company located?
The shop is located at 102 First New Hampshire Turnpike (Route 4), Northwood, NH 03261, right along the state’s well-known Antique Alley. It’s housed in two pink barns filled with vintage treasures and colorful displays that are impossible to miss.
What makes R.S. Butler’s Trading Company unique?
Unlike your typical antique store, R.S. Butler’s offers an immersive experience full of 1960s and 70s fashion, retro furniture, brass and pottery, mannequins mid-protest, and even vintage vinyl from Wingo’s Wecords. It’s eclectic, fun, and packed with personality, perfect for vintage lovers of all ages.
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