Apple Annie Antique Gallery marks 30 years in Cashmere

CASHMERE — At 70,000 square feet, Apple Annie Antique Gallery is one of the largest antique malls in Washington state, hosting anywhere from 120 to 150 vendors and over 225 booths under one roof.

“We may seem like we're a big, huge business, but it's really the heart of small business inside Apple Annie's, because everyone that is in here is their own small business,” said Trina Andersen, a vendor and spokesperson for Apple Annie Antique Gallery. 

The antique mall started with Anne Dahl, a long time Wenatchee resident who owned and operated a gift shop in Cashmere. After several years in business, Dahl decided there was a need for antique enthusiasts to buy and sell in one place, opening the doors to Apple Annie Antiques in 1996. Over the next decade, the antique mall would switch owners and locations, eventually leading to the massive facility that stands today. Over the past 20 years, Apple Annie Antiques has been owned by the Fowler family — first with J.B. and Willy Fowler, and now their son, Ron Fowler.

After 30 years of business, Andersen calls Apple Annie Antiques a “well-oiled machine.” While the antique mall’s success could be credited to its sheer size and variety, it's also built a reputation as a destination stop. Nestled along US-2 with the Huckleberry Cafe in-house, the gallery is not only a popular visit for antique enthusiasts, but tourists traveling between Wenatchee and Leavenworth. Plus, the mall is open from 9 a.m to 6 p.m. seven days a week, closing on only two holidays a year: Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

“There's never a day that there are not people in here shopping,” said Andersen.

Because of this, securing a booth can take time. Vendors can wait anywhere between six months to two years for a booth to become available. And just because the items have been around for decades, it doesn’t mean they sit on the shelves for long, according to Andersen, who added that inventory changes daily.

With each vendor booth, a different personality shines through. Some specialize in vintage western or punk rock, while others stick strictly to books, trading cards, or dishware. For some, it’s a curated mix of antiques that fall under the vendor’s aesthetic.

“I think owning something brand new and mass-made is really boring. Old stuff has more story, more character. The craftsmanship is amazing on a lot of it,” Andersen.

While the world of timeless pieces may seem insulated from trends, the changing interests of buyers and sellers has significantly shaped Apple Annie Antiques over the years. Andersen said the mall prioritizes antique items and furniture — which are considered older than 100 years — but has increasingly made room for vintage goods, which are at least 20 years old.

“Each new generation that comes along wants to embrace the generations before them in some way, in their decoration, but it does change which decade they're reaching back too,” said Andersen.

Oftentimes, specific items go through waves of popularity. When Andersen started at Apple Annie’s, Tupperware containers were all the rage. Right now, brooches are in the spotlight. The same can be said for decor aesthetics. Five to 10 years ago, mid-century modern decor was trending. Now, Andersen has noticed an increased interest in art deco, transporting shoppers back to the styles of the 1920s and 30s.

“I think decorating does that for people. [It] allows them to reach back into a part of a past that they maybe didn't get to experience, but they love little bits and pieces of it,” said Andersen.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media