Adams Avenue was once a hotspot for businesses, including cafes, restaurants, thrift stores, and bars. However, due to the pandemic struggles, online competition, etc., the bustling San Diego location is now a fixture for only one antique shop. The antique San Diego store thrives without a digital presence.
Highlights
- Zac’s Attic is the only remaining antique shop on Adams Avenue, once home to dozens of similar stores.
- Owner Dave McPheeters has kept the business alive without relying on a website, social media, or online sales.
- Rising rents, changing shopping habits, and limited foot traffic are putting pressure on the store’s long-term survival.
Adams Avenue is Home to Only One Antique Shop Now
In contrast to the situation today, the Adams Avenue neighborhood was home to 11 bookstores, multiple mixes of cafes and dive bars, and one upholstery shop a few decades back. There were also 24 antique and thrift shops at the San Diego location. This is what used to make Adams Avenue filled with a large crowds almost every day.
However, the global financial recession, growing e-commerce platforms like eBay, and the pandemic together compelled the Adams Avenue-based outlets to shutter.
Beginnings, Success, and Current State of Zac’s Attic
Against the backdrop of a string of antique shop closures on Adams Avenue, Zac’s Attic flourished. The antique shop, which began operations in 1999, became a prime selling spot in San Diego. Its owner, Dave McPheeters, achieved this feat without having an online presence through a website or social media.
However, Zac’s Attic, unlike its previous working days, is now open only during weekends for the San Diego crowd. McPheeters cited the absence of other antique stores and sidewalk strollers for the shorter number of working hours. Additionally, the owner has furthered his services in real estate and trade shows.
The Future of the Antique Store Industry
As sustainability finds relevance in the present digital era, the stature of antique shops may not fade away. Plus, many still love buying secondhand items from antique collections. The success in San Diego, though, is vulnerable to the current trade war situation in the country.
