Inside the La Jolla antique store that’s sourced by top interior designers everywhere

“Pine is hot, hot, hot,” proclaims Bradley McDonald, owner of Girard Avenue Marketplace. “And everyone wants pewter.” 

At 6’7”, McDonald’s presence has a dollhouse effect on the merchandise, towering over rows of antiques where the grandest chairs seem to appear in miniature. His down-to-earth demeanor and big teddy-bear warmth immediately ground us back to size. Having taken over this venerable La Jolla antique store two years ago, McDonald has assembled the ingredients for the yummiest of retail experiences: drama, discovery, and diversity. 

Here, mid-century gems and French antiques mingle alongside contemporary pieces and local art. There’s also the reinvention of classics, where vintage gems are resuscitated back to relevancy thanks to powder-coating and new upholstery. 

“We ‘Frankenstein’ it, and make it last another 50 years,” he says. 

Expect an intoxicating line-up of seasoned dealers (King & Company, Newport Ave Antiques, Etceteras, Jennifer Price) alongside new-era foragers (Oates General) and well-heeled interior designers. The latter includes BW Home, Suzanne Mariucci, Tiffani Baumgart, and Melissa Ducey. 

“The goal is to bring something fresh by marrying together these worlds of design,”says McDonald, primping a mid-century Adrian Pearsall dining set with studio pottery and fresh greenery snipped from a local garden. 

There’s 20-plus booths — each have their own vibe — including McDonald’s own, which scratches a Montana-California itch. He grew up on Mt. Soledad and studied fine arts at University of Montana where his family owns property. McDonald went on to become a sales executive at Urban Decay, gaining fluency in customer service and color theory. 

“It’s about dissecting consumer needs,” says McDonald. “And sparking interest.” 

For dealers like McDonald, the thrill of the hunt is in the DNA. This month, he’ll be unloading a treasure-filled van fresh off his cross-country sojourn to Chattanooga, TN and parts unknown for his @bumpkinboutique. 

“It’s our own giant version of an American Pickers trip,” he says, referring to the reality TV show. 

We can’t wait to see the goods.