Here’s an idea for you and your Mom-Sister-BFF – take a country drive to Lacombe, wander along the historic downtown Main Street looking at antiques – reminiscing about happy days – and maybe even crossing a few things off your nice list. A perfect daytrip? We think so. Here’s the plan. Image: Sunny happy kitchen kitsch from Vintagebelle’s Antiques on Facebook.

China teacups and antique jewellery

Begin your day browsing more than 80 patterns of vintage Royal Albert china in a 1939 heritage home at And Everything Nice – 5403 50 Ave. The shop specializes in rare and hard-to-find antique china and collectable glass and also carries gourmet chocolate, handmade soap and romantic jewellery.

Get in the holiday spirit

Head down Lacombe’s Main Street, past brick buildings and heritage homes to Timeworn Charm – at 5105 50 Ave. Shop here for antiques and country home décor. Inside it’s beginning to look like Christmas right now with snowy sparkles, wooden decorations, candy cane cupcake candles and lots of other vintage holiday details. They also have gorgeously patina-ed antique furniture and housewares.

Mid-century treasures

Keep heading west, past the town’s famous Flatiron Building to 50 St and Vintagebelle’s – at 5014 50 Street. The new shop is filled with mid-century treasures – candy-coloured kitchenware, vintage and retro-inspired clothing and glittering sparkling jewellery. You can check out – and drool over – what’s brand new in this very cool store on the Belle’s active Facebook page.

Try the Antique Mall

The Antique Mall in Lacombe offers a different antique shopping experience compared to Lacombe’s other antique shops. Rather than being one store, the Antique Mall has almost 50 booths for rent for vendors to come and sell their own antiques. Just located on Highway 12, East of the train tracks and across from the UFA cardlock, this antique mall offers a new treasure hunt with every visit.

Time for lunch

By now, you will be hungry – but that doesn’t mean you have to stop shopping. Lacombe is home to many great food and drink options. Stop by Kavaccino’s(5028 51 Street Lacombe), a cozy place offering homemade lunches, specialty coffees and treats. Or maybe you’re thirsty – indulge in a pint at Ugly’s Pub (5010 50 Street Lacombe) located in the historic Puffer-Chung Block built in 1911

Bookworm’s paradise

Now that you’ve eaten, you’ll be ready to walk a few blocks (less than 10 minutes) to Second Glance – a bookworm’s paradise. The secondhand bookshop – at 4842 46 St – is packed to the rafters with books of every genre, including young adult and children’s. Devoted readers will spend some time here deep-breathing the cozy aroma of old books piled high to the ceiling and shining in the sun.