An old factory near Hershey, Pennsylvania, has been transformed into a massive antique mall with three floors and around 150 vendors. Shoppers can spend hours browsing everything from vintage furniture and military collectibles to old electronics, handmade candles, and unusual secondhand finds.
The Olde Factory in Hummelstown isn’t the kind of store you can explore in 20 minutes. Each floor has dozens of booths, and the constantly changing inventory means you never know what might turn up.
There’s even an elevator and a convenient system for setting aside purchases while you continue shopping. With so much packed into one building, it’s easy to see why some visitors have been coming back for decades.
Three Stories of Stuff on South Hanover Street
The Olde Factory is an antique and vendor mall at 139 S Hanover St in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The building’s industrial past is right there in the name.
Inside, the shop spreads across three floors. That is a lot of square footage to explore, and it is filled with booths run by many different dealers rather than one single owner choosing every item.
Hummelstown is a small borough in Dauphin County, close to Hershey and Harrisburg. That location makes the shop an easy add-on if you are already in the area for other plans.
What draws me to a place like this is the sheer scale. A typical antique shop might take twenty minutes to browse.
Here, shoppers often talk about spending an entire afternoon and still not seeing everything.
The mix of sellers is the key. Each booth reflects one person’s taste, so walking from space to space feels a bit like visiting dozens of small shops under one roof.
Before you start climbing, it helps to know what kinds of things those dealers actually bring in, because the variety covers far more than old furniture.
Wash Tubs, Chandeliers, and Everything Between
Old wash tubs are on the list of things people have spotted here. So is an antique chandelier that one shopper hunted for across the region before finding it on these floors.
The range is wide. Booths have held antiques, collectibles, jewelry, furniture, seasonal decorations, and electronics from decades past.
Some shelves lean toward the quirky side. Vintage military uniform pieces, Asian inspired art, and train items have all turned up, along with that famous 1980s Macintosh computer.
Collectors with narrow interests can do well too. One shopper mentioned finding several pieces of uranium glass, the vintage glassware that glows under a black light.
Not every category is deep, though. Glass in general can be limited, depending on what dealers have stocked at the moment.
I would treat any visit as open-ended. Since inventory comes from many independent vendors, what you see one month may be gone the next, and brand new items may show up in its place.
That constant turnover is part of the fun. It also explains why the shelves are not filled only with old things, which brings up the newer side of the shop.
Candles and Crafts Next to the Antiques
Handmade candles sit just a few booths away from decades-old collectibles. That mix surprises some shoppers and delights others.
Alongside true antiques, the Olde Factory carries a good share of crafts and newer goods. Some booths have a cozy country kitchen style, with decorative pieces and home accents.
Purists who want only antiques sometimes wish for fewer crafty vendors. On the other hand, gift shoppers often appreciate having fresh, ready-to-give items in the same building.
I see the blend as a practical plus. You could pick up a vintage find for yourself and a new candle for a friend without making a second stop.
Flea market items also show up throughout the floors. These tend to be everyday secondhand goods rather than rare pieces, and they can be fun to dig through for small bargains.
Knowing this ahead of time helps set expectations. Think of the building as a broad marketplace instead of a strictly curated antique gallery.
With so many kinds of goods spread over three levels, keeping track of your finds becomes its own challenge. Thankfully, the shop has a smart answer for that.
The Hold Table Saves Your Arms
Carrying a cast iron pan up two flights of stairs is nobody’s idea of fun. The Olde Factory solves that problem in a simple way.
When you find something you want, you can bring it to the service desk or hold table. Staff will set it aside in a box while you keep browsing.
Shoppers often mention liking this system. It frees your hands for the next booth and keeps fragile pieces safe from bumps.
Shopping carts and baskets are also available. Carts are limited, so baskets are the more reliable option on a busy day.
One thing to know is that this is largely a self-serve setup. Unlike some antique stores, there usually is not an employee in every room ready to help, so you gather items on your own.
I would use the hold table early and often. It turns a long visit into a lighter, more relaxed one, and you won’t worry about setting down a treasure and losing track of it.
Of course, getting between floors is the next question, and the building has more than one way up.
An Elevator Worth Knowing About
Plenty of stairs connect the three floors. Some first-time visitors climb them all before learning there is an elevator.
So here is the tip up front. The Olde Factory does have an elevator, and shoppers who use it tend to be very grateful.
Accessibility goes beyond that. There is handicapped parking, and a long ramp near the front door helps people who use wheelchairs or have trouble walking.
Chairs are placed around the building too. They give tired legs a break during a long browse, which matters in a shop this size.
Clean restrooms are another practical detail people point out. In a place where many shoppers stay for hours, that counts for a lot.
I like that these small comforts make the hunt possible for a wider range of people. Grandparents, parents with strollers, and anyone with mobility needs can explore more of the building.
Ask a staff member where the elevator is when you arrive. That one question can save a lot of climbing.
Just remember that climbing higher brings another change worth planning for, especially in summer.
Dress for a Warm Climb in Summer
Each level up tends to feel warmer than the last. That is a common note from summer shoppers.
Most of the building is not air conditioned. Fans keep air moving, and staff ventilate as best they can, but the upper floors can still get toasty in hot weather.
This is easy to plan around. Light clothing, a water bottle in the car, and a morning arrival can make a big difference.
I would also suggest starting at the top on a warm day. Browse the third floor first while it is cooler, then work your way down.
Spring and fall are comfortable seasons for a long visit. Cooler weather makes it easier to linger at booths without feeling rushed by the heat.
None of this seems to scare off regular shoppers. Many still give the place high marks, saying the selection and prices make up for a warm afternoon.
Speaking of prices, that is where the Olde Factory earns a lot of its loyal shoppers, and it is worth a closer look.
Fair Prices Keep the Hunt Exciting
Reasonable prices come up again and again in shopper comments. Several people say items were priced at what they were worth, or even below it.
That matters in the antique world. Overpriced booths can take the fun out of browsing, while fair tags make every aisle feel full of possibility.
Because many independent dealers set their own prices, you will see some variety. One booth may lean higher for rare items, while another clears out flea market goods cheaply.
One practical note concerns payment. The shop has charged a small percentage fee for card purchases, so bringing cash may stretch your budget a little further.
I would also set a loose spending plan before heading in. With three floors of temptation, a budget helps you choose the pieces you truly love.
Some booths are neat and well arranged, while a few are stacked high. Those crowded spaces take more patience, but digging through them is part of the treasure hunt.
Good deals bring people back, and for some families those return trips stretch across many years.
Decades of Return Visits
Some shoppers first wandered these floors as kids. Now in their late thirties, they still come back.
One person mentioned returning after almost thirty years away. They said the building still had the same familiar smell at the door, which brought back childhood memories.
Another said they started visiting in high school and have kept coming for more than two decades. That kind of loyalty says something about a shop.
I find this part of the story warming. Antique malls are about the past, and here the store itself has become part of people’s own personal history.
Families who grew up nearby may now bring their own children. Kids can hunt for old toys or odd gadgets while parents search for furniture or decor.
Small town feel is part of the appeal too. Hummelstown is not a big city, and the shop fits that easygoing pace.
Newcomers count just as much. Travelers who enjoy antiquing on vacation have stopped in and found plenty to admire.
Of course, any long visit depends on timing, and the hours here shape how you plan your day.
Plan Around a 5 PM Close
Evening shopping is not an option here. The Olde Factory closes at 5 p.m. every day of the week.
Current listed hours show the shop opening at 9 a.m. Monday through Saturday.
Sunday has a shorter window, opening at noon.
Hours can change, so checking the current schedule before you drive over is a smart move. Holidays especially may differ.
Closing time is taken seriously. Announcements remind shoppers when the end of the day is near, so plan to wrap up and pay before the last minute.
I would aim for a morning start on a weekday. You get more time, and a relaxed pace makes it easier to spot small treasures hiding on low shelves.
If Sunday is your only free day, focus your time. Pick a floor or two that match your interests instead of trying to cover everything.
Shopping with a friend helps too. You can split up, then meet at the hold table to compare finds.
With timing sorted, a little strategy can help you make the most of every booth.
Smart Ways to Hunt the Floors
Nooks and crannies fill this building. Some of the best finds may sit behind a stack of frames or under a table.
Patience pays off. Shoppers note that the place can feel overwhelming, so slowing down and scanning one booth at a time helps.
I would bring a short wish list, but stay flexible. You may come for a lamp and leave with a vintage sign you never knew you wanted.
Measurements are useful if you are hunting furniture. Knowing the size of your wall or room saves guesswork when you spot a dresser or shelf.
A phone camera is handy too. Snap photos of items you are unsure about, then decide after you have seen the other floors.
Regular visits reward collectors. Because dealers restock often, the booth that had nothing for you last month may have the perfect piece today.
Friendly staff at the front can point you toward the elevator, restrooms, and hold table. After that, the hunt is yours.
Three floors, many vendors, and constant change make this old Hummelstown factory a place where curiosity is the best tool you can carry.
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