Business Blooms for Squash Blossom Antiques
By Regina Elling

Victoria Townsend, owner of Squash Blossom Trading Company, looks at the marking on a piece of her collection of antique Mexican pottery. Photo by Regina Elling

Avisit back in time and a trip around the world all rolled into one is how some visitors describe a visit to Squash Blossom Trading Company.

"I buy, sell and trade treasures from all over, so the Trading Company part of the shop name fits," says Victoria Townsend, owner of the antique store in Ramona.

And although Squash Blossom hasn't been in town as long as some of the older antique stores - about five years - the shop has an established feel and client base.

"We were recently featured in 'Sunset' magazine," Townsend says. "That was back in March, and we are still getting calls and visitors as a result."

Part of the comfortable feel of the shop comes from Townsend's more than 20 years of experience in the antique world. She first began working in her parent's former Gaslamp Quarter antique shop at the age of 12.

Vintage items, such as sterling silver, antique furniture, Native American baskets and beadwork, linens, textiles and much more also add to the old-world feel of the store.

Several display cases show off unique collections of estate jewelry, Navajo jewelry and jewelry handmade from antique beads.

Mexican folk art is a store specialty.

"I keep a selection of retablos, which are religious paintings on tin," Townsend says.

"I also have Tlaquepaque pottery from the '30s - it's very hard to find," she says. "This particular pottery, named after a region in Mexico, is highly glazed and decorative."

Townsend is a big fan of folk art in general, however, and consigns some work by local artists as well as the pieces she buys.

"Our handmade holiday folk art includes a great collection of Halloween items," she says.

It is not surprising that an art enthusiast would cater to artists.

"I have several regular artist customers that buy vintage graphics, trims, ribbons and more," she says.

Townsend finds much of her merchandise from local estates. And when she finds something she likes, she usually buys it - all of it.

"I get a lot of calls to buy entire collections. I will also do complete estate liquidations," she says.

Townsend has a reputation for honesty at her estate sales.

"I won't stage or seed a sale - meaning that I won't fill an old house with the stuff from my shop," she explains. "For me to have an estate sale, the stuff has to be good, it has to be old or it has to be homemade."

Although the merchandise comes from all over, Townsend is happy to have roots in Ramona.

"I wouldn't want to open anywhere else," she says with a smile. "I love it when my customers get as excited about my store and my merchandise as I do."

Squash Blossom Trading Company is located at 738 Main St. in Ramona. For more information call 760-788-2353.