LAFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA — The former Cuesta Antiques storefront did not stay empty for long.
Flora Lane, a new art and antiques shop, is now open at 3518 P Mt. Diablo Blvd. The business occupies the same Lafayette Plaza Center space behind Whole Foods where Cuesta Antiques spent its final years.
The turnaround was remarkably fast.
In May, Bay Area Telegraph reported that Cuesta Antiques appeared to have closed after nearly two decades in Lafayette. When we visited, the shop had been largely cleared out following a 50% off sale advertised in April.
Now, antiques are filling the space once again.
What Flora Lane Sells
Flora Lane describes itself as an art and antiques store, with a selection that spans original artwork, vintage furnishings, decorative objects, jewelry and handbags.
Its online shop currently contains about 150 listings. Recent items have included a Persian-style area rug, a mid-century Egyptian copper cachepot, an Orrefors crystal vase, a postmodern coffee table and an original painting of Mission Santa Ines.
There are also vintage maps, Japanese lacquer bowls, sterling silver bracelets, leather handbags, small sculptures, candleholders and other unusual objects.
Flora Lane has preserved some of the treasure-hunt quality that made Cuesta Antiques memorable, while adding a modern online storefront where shoppers can preview the inventory before visiting.
The interior reflects this, too. It’s a more modern, minimalistic look than the original, which was filled with lots of eclectic items.
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An Experienced Appraiser Is Behind the Store
Contra Costa County’s fictitious-business-name records list Mariam Whitten LLC as the registrant for Flora Lane. The filing was submitted on June 11, only one month after Bay Area Telegraph reported on Cuesta’s apparent closure.
Whitten is an accredited personal-property appraiser, estate consultant and auction liaison. Her professional website says she has more than 20 years of experience in the auction industry, with specialties that include fine art, antiques, books, jewelry, decorative art, wine and collectible vehicles.
That background offers a clue to Flora Lane’s approach. The new store appears to be a carefully selected collection assembled by someone with significant experience evaluating objects and navigating the antiques and auction markets.
A Fast Transition for a Familiar Storefront
Cuesta Antiques had been a distinctive part of Lafayette’s retail landscape.
The business was known for oil paintings, etchings, Japanese woodblock prints, vintage photography, ceramics, luggage and other collectibles. Owners Lawrence and Sarah Siegel were also associated with a beautifully restored 1948 Diamond T pickup truck that was frequently parked outside the store.
Cuesta relocated from La Fiesta Square to Plaza Center in 2022. Public reports about its closing sale said sudden health problems affecting the proprietors prompted the wind-down, although an official final closing date was never announced.
The arrival of Flora Lane gives the story an unusually fitting next chapter. Rather than being converted into an office, salon or unrelated retail concept, the storefront has gone directly from one antique shop to another.
When to Visit Flora Lane
Flora Lane is located at 3518 P Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette Plaza Center.
The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. It is closed Monday and Tuesday.
Shoppers can also browse the store’s current inventory at shopfloralane.com.
