That’s certainly the case in New Bern, North Carolina. Founded in 1710, New Bern is the second oldest city in North Carolina. Heirlooms abound and go back many generations.

Sometimes these heirlooms find their way into the many shops sprinkled across this riverfront town at the intersection of U.S. highways 70 and 17, an hour’s drive from the coast and a two-hour drive from Raleigh.

For anyone interested in shopping for antiques, vintage clothes, and gently used necessities, pound for pound, few places are better than New Bern.

In the 1700s, New Bern was a leading city in North Carolina. It was a destination on the King’s Highway from Boston to Charleston in the mid-1700s. It was the last colonial capital of North Carolina before the Revolutionary War, and the first state capital after.

Pepsi Cola was first formulated in a corner drug store in downtown New Bern, so don’t be surprised if you find a lot of old Pepsi memorabilia in New Bern antique stores and malls.

Here are some of the best places to find what you're looking for in New Bern.

Twice As Nice

224 Craven St., Historic Downtown New Bern

A well-provisioned upscale consignment shop in the heart of Historic Downtown New Bern, this shop is noted for its fashionable collection of women's clothes, with a small collection of menswear and occasionally furniture.

New Berne Antiques & Collectibles Mall

1000 Greenleaf Cemetery Road, New Bern (252) 637-0206

Monday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m.

new-berne-antiques-and-collectibles.com

Antiques and Collectibles Mall has 12,500 square feet of display space filled with a diverse selection of quality antiques and vintage collectibles from Depression glass, fine glassware, jewelry, silver, Coke, Pepsi, Star Wars, furniture and other high-end items in all price ranges. They take pride in describing and displaying their items honestly. The mall has been in business for more than 15 years.

Franklin’s Antique Mall

215 East Front Street, New Bern (252) 244-0878 

franklinsantiquemall.com/

Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday, 1-5 p.m.

Franklin’s Antique Mall opened in 2015 after relocating from Vanceboro, N.C. where the store had been for over five years. With over 50 vendors spread out over 10,000 square feet of floorspace, Franklin’s Antique Mall has a wide variety of antique furniture, kitchenware, nautical, trains, architectural, medical, bottles, cast iron, military, Civil War items, North Carolina pottery, primitives, antique tools, cast iron cookware, quilts, collectibles and more.

Poor Charlie’s

208 Hancock St., New Bern (252) 672-0208 

facebook.com/HistoricDowntownNewBern/

A veteran owned business, Poor Charlie’s is located inside a historic warehouse with 4,000 square feet featuring fine antiques, collectibles, heirloom jewelry, glassware, household items and more. Stop by the New Bern Farmer’s Market while you’re there – it’s right across the street.

Kind of Blue

919 Broad St., New Bern

Kind of Blue is New Bern's newest mercantile of vintage and antique items, heirloom wares and inspired goods. The grand and spacious showroom has a unique and attractive design style -- creating a fun shopping experience.

With a variety of price points, Kind of Blue offers the New Bern area a creative antique shopping option, for home redecorating, as well as a great gift purchasing source.

Black Bear Market

3551 Trent Road, New Bern, in Village Square Shopping Center

Black Bear Market is a 50/50 split consignment shop located that focuses on furniture, vintage, collectibles and fine home decor.