Relic Road Junk and Vintage

Relic Road Junk and Vintage is one of those hidden gem shops that makes treasure hunting genuinely exciting. Tucked along Penney Lane in Onalaska, WI, this store leans into its name with a curated mix of vintage finds, quirky junk, and secondhand goods that reward patient browsers and seasoned thrifters alike. The vibe here is more eclectic antique market than sterile donation center, which sets it apart from bigger chain thrift operations in the La Crosse area. What keeps shoppers coming back to Relic Road is the unpredictability of the inventory. Every visit feels different, and regulars know that timing your trip right can mean walking out with something genuinely special. The staff tend to have real knowledge about what they carry, making it easier to understand the value of what you're looking at. For anyone in western Wisconsin who loves the thrill of the find, Relic Road Junk and Vintage in Onalaska is absolutely worth the detour.

Store Information

N5539 Penney Ln, Onalaska, WI 54650

Phone: +1 608-615-7751

4.7★ average across 32 reviews on Google

Store Hours

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 10AM-5PM
  • Wednesday: 10AM-5PM
  • Thursday: 10AM-5PM
  • Friday: 10AM-5PM
  • Saturday: 10AM-4PM
  • Sunday: Closed

What They Sell

True to its name, Relic Road Junk and Vintage stocks a broad and ever-changing mix of merchandise that spans genuine vintage collectibles, retro home décor, furniture, glassware, old tools, and the kind of interesting odds and ends that defy easy categorization. This is a shop where you might find a mid-century lamp next to a box of old postcards or a stack of vinyl records. The inventory leans toward items with character and history rather than fast-fashion castoffs, making it a solid destination for collectors, upcyclers, home decorators, and anyone who appreciates goods with a story behind them. Quality varies, as it does at any true secondhand shop, but the vintage-focused angle means the selection tends to feel more intentional than your average thrift store.

The Neighborhood

Onalaska, WI sits just north of La Crosse along the Mississippi River corridor, offering that perfect blend of small-town accessibility and proximity to a larger metro area. Penney Lane has a quiet, off-the-beaten-path feel that suits a shop like Relic Road perfectly. Shoppers coming from La Crosse, Holmen, or even across the border in Minnesota will find the drive easy and the surrounding area pleasantly low-key.

Parking

Located on Penney Lane in Onalaska, Relic Road Junk and Vintage is situated in a lower-traffic area that typically offers easy, uncrowded parking near the storefront. Expect off-street or lot-style parking that makes loading up any larger furniture or bulky vintage finds considerably less stressful than shopping in a busy downtown setting.

Shopping Tips

  • Getting the most out of a visit to Relic Road Junk and Vintage comes down to a few key habits that experienced thrifters swear by:
  • Visit early in the week — Tuesday and Wednesday often see freshly rotated or newly added items before the weekend crowd picks through them.
  • Bring measurements if you're hunting for furniture or larger décor pieces, since Relic Road carries items with real vintage dimensions that don't always conform to modern standard sizing.
  • Don't overlook the "junk" side of the inventory — quirky, unidentified, or rough-condition items can often be cleaned up, repurposed, or sold on for a profit by those with a good eye.
  • Ask the staff questions; unlike larger thrift chains, smaller shops like Relic Road often have people on the floor who actually know the backstory or provenance of specific pieces.
  • Follow up with return visits regularly — inventory at vintage-forward thrift stores in Onalaska and the La Crosse area turns over quickly, and what wasn't there last week might be exactly what you've been looking for this week.

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