New life (and old treasures) in downtown Langley

Before this building became Mutiny Bay Antiques’ newest home, it was known as Linds, our off-brand Target. It was a multi-level department store that served the community for decades. Today, the bank still operates on the ground floor, but the long-vacant upstairs has finally found new energy. Mutiny Bay Antiques has transformed the space into a sprawling attic of historical artifacts, vintage finds, and curated mercantile.

Don’t worry Lind’s didn’t disappear; it simply jumped over to Freeland. And what Mutiny Bay has done with this building is, frankly, immaculate. Owner Tamara Petersen began her business in Freeland, where she housed 20–25 vintage and antique dealers. Now, in the expansive Langley space, she hosts more than 40 vendors. She and her daughter, artist Corinne, split their time between the two locations. It’s easily more than a full-time job, especially with the added pressure of digitally marketing a brand-new shop.

“This year has been quite challenging and rewarding,” Petersen said at a recent Langley Chamber member meeting. “Occupying a space that’s been empty for nearly 10 years and advertising it is tough. Between the two stores, there are very different customers.”

Two Stores, Two Audiences

The Freeland location has long attracted a steady base of locals. Many avoid shopping in Langley, particularly during peak season. To be fair… that’s most of the year minus winter. Meanwhile, the Langley shop sees a dramatically different customer profile: about 70% new visitors, mostly tourists. Freeland’s shopper base runs closer to 60% repeat customers and 40% new visitors.

To understand Mutiny Bay’s expansion, it helps to visualize the different shopping flows. The Freeland shop, formerly Ace Hardware, is organized like a grid of curated vendor booths highlighting nostalgic decor of all time periods. of Langley’s sprawling upstairs, on the other hand, feels more like a guided story: a continuous flow of eras, aesthetics, and themes.

“Shopping is a social act,” Petersen says. “I want to avoid that outsider mentality.”

A Balance of Old and New

The Langley store continues the mixed-merchandise model: roughly 50/50 new and vintage goods. That balance keeps things fresh while honoring timeless trends in homewares, décor, and ready-to-wear.

“Keeping an eye on vintage and antique trends is constant,” Petersen explains. “Being strategic in my search is crucial when sourcing and pricing. I often look at eBay’s sold listings and Chairish for trending furniture styles. Mid-century modern is having a resurgence, so I’ll diversify to carry more of that style.”

Still, variety remains the heart of Mutiny Bay’s identity. Out of the 40+ vendors in Langley, all but three are Whidbey Island locals. “Putting my dollar back into the local economy is important to me,” Petersen says. “We’ll source from thrift stores occasionally, but more importantly, we give experienced vintage and antique enthusiasts a chance to share their collections – if they can style and sell well.”

The Langley Challenge: Winning Back the Locals

Langley is known for many great things. It has boutiques, cafés, and quality goods. However, local shoppers growingly see it as inaccessible. They consider it pricey or simply overwhelming. The town’s economy leans heavily on tourism. But for Tamara, locals are essential.

She encourages dealers to reprice merchandise to accommodate a range of shoppers. Tourists may marvel at the affordability, but Mutiny Bay’s long-term relationships will always come from island residents.

“We’re trying to build customer relationships,” Petersen says. “Tourists love our prices, but how many will become repeat buyers? People often ask whether I’ll raise prices to match Langley’s price point. I want it accessible for locals, across generations. I want them to feel comfortable shopping at both stores.”

A New Generation of Collectors & artists

Gen Z and Gen Alpha are increasingly drawn to analog culture: vinyl, film cameras, typewriters, vintage books, retro furniture. As a Millennial, I feel that same gravitational pull: give me physical books, a growing vinyl stack, and even my favorite radio stations in the car.

Petersen sees this rising creative interest firsthand. Her daughter, and many young artists who frequent the shop, are building skills early. Mutiny Bay tries to keep quality art supplies accessible to them.

“I could see a mentorship program for younger generations,” she says. “We want to support emerging artists. Langley is an arts town at its core. We don’t want gatekeeping. We want multiple generations to feel welcome as the town evolves.”

Housing, Economic Pressure, and the Future

Housing remains a hot topic on South Whidbey. Though her staff isn’t directly affected, Petersen expressed unwavering support for affordable housing initiatives. For the business, she hopes to return to 10% year-over-year growth, though she’s unsure how Freeland will evolve now that the building is under new ownership. All the more reason Langley must feel inviting to everyone.

“This year has been tough for a number of reasons,” Peterson notes. “Many business owners share similar headaches with the supply chain. Tariff markups are overkill for the new retail we carry.”

Even so, island businesses press on. We adapt. We pivot. And in the face of the South End becoming a billionaire’s retreat, we fight back by supporting each other and practicing conscious consumption.

The Mutiny Bay Experience

Ultimately, Mutiny Bay Antiques aims to provide a varied and welcoming shopping experience for both locals and visitors. The Langley shop is a walk through time—an attic that feels both global and intimate. Whether you’re browsing for furniture, décor, clothing, art supplies, or a quirky memento of island life, the store showcases history through repurposed and restored pieces. And the dealers? They know their stuff. If you catch them merchandising, stick around, they have stories for every era.