Third in a series: Occasional sale sampler heads west

BARB'S COUNTRY COLLECTIBLES

12634 Ulm Av., Hutchinson, Minn. • 1-320-587-9144

The gist: Primitives and refinished wood pieces; vintage stoneware, linens and bric-a-brac.

Don't miss: "Grandma's House" stuffed with discounts.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thu.-Sat.; typically second full weekend of each month. Next sale: Aug. 13-15.

HOUSE OF TRUNKS

The gist: Val and Sylvia Meyer restore antique, mostly late-1800s trunks, calling it "an interest that grew into a passion that got out of hand." They number their work; the 180th is on the workbench.

Don't miss: Impressive camelbacks; trunks where pieces of original linings are laminated as bonus keepsakes.

Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; typically the first or second weekend 10 times yearly and by appointment. Next sale: Aug. 14-15

LITTLE RED HEN

The gist: Retro china, linens and kitchenware mingle with plentiful stock of painted and vintage furniture from 10 dealers.

Don't miss: Goods by local entrepreneurs -- flower bouquets, an organic bath and body line and homemade jellies, baked goods and cleaning products.

MARILYN'S OCCASIONAL SALE

13153 180th St., Hutchinson, Minn. • 1-320-223-4269

The gist: Don't look for refinished pieces. What they offer is farm primitives, architectural salvage and furniture requiring time and elbow grease to restore.

Don't miss: Cool antique cupolas outside the owner's nearby antiques shed.

Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thu.-Sun.; typically last week of each month. Next sale: Starts Thur.

THE COTTAGE

441 2nd St., Excelsior • 952-221-8854

The gist: Sale in the old Maple Inn provides two floors and a yard's worth of furniture, decor and gardenware from 10 dealers, headed by longtime estate-saler Laura Soelberg. She calls the mix "Ralph Lauren meets Excelsior Bay."

Don't miss: Settings staged by room; plant sale on the front lawn.

Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat.; typically the second week of each month. Next sale: Aug. 12-15.

THE HOG SHED

The gist: Claire Baxter's well-tended gardens surround the beautifully staged building that belies its name. Mix of repurposed, reupholstered and found pieces and new gift items; loaves of herbed ciabatta from the Central Cafe (where you can also get a Hog Shed BLT).

Don't miss: More goods in adjacent camp cottage; hot cocoa bar during the holidays.

Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thu.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun.; typically second weekend of each month. Next sale: Aug. 13-16.

UNIQUELY YOURS

The gist: A blend of primitives, vintage estate and flea-market finds and repurposed accessories.

Don't miss: Outdoor shopping, from sturdy tables to vintage bicycles.

GETTING THERE

All destinations accessible from Hwy. 7.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

Check the local Chamber of Commerce before you go; many towns are also home to a wealth of antique malls and shops.

Kim Yeager • 612-673-4899