Tigby Hill Vintage

Mary Panzarino and Peter Torres met at a flea market in Los Angeles — a fitting origin story for two people who would go on to open a vintage shop together. They launched Tigby Hill Vintage in Sutter Creek in 2016, and the store is unmistakably a reflection of both personalities. Peter brings more than thirty years of experience as an antique and memorabilia dealer. Mary is a professional mosaic artist who makes handmade vintage china mosaic hearts right on-site. As Mary puts it, “Ninety-nine percent of the items we sell here at Tigby Hill Vintage are old; we want to keep the integrity with our shop” and their marketplace. Every piece is chosen by hand — the couple scours the country to find unusual items worthy of the shelves, rejecting anything mass-produced in favor of distinctive pieces that set them apart from typical antique retailers.

Two Rooms, Two Worlds

The front room belongs to Mary: feminine vintage items, new candles, artisan soaps, and her mosaic work. Walk through to the back and the atmosphere changes completely. Peter’s space is filled with hot rod photography, vintage toys, old flags, original paintings, antique papers and deeds, rare books, and a striking collection of 1970s hippie turquoise jewelry. Keep an eye out for his handmade “Time Keepers” — assembled from vintage clocks — and, if you’re lucky, one of the shop’s Vampire Killer Kits tucked among the shelves. The two-room layout captures something essential about Sutter Creek itself: a town where rough-hewn Gold Rush history and artistic refinement have always coexisted.

The Old Sutter Creek Flea Market

Mary and Peter also organize the Old Sutter Creek Flea Market, held the third Sunday of every month year-round at the Italian Picnic Grounds at 581 CA Highway 49. It runs from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM with admission at just one dollar and a strict rule: antique and vintage merchandise only — no new items, yard sale goods, or junk allowed. Mary launched the market around 2016 after recognizing that Amador County, despite its rich history, lacked a dedicated vintage flea market — Sacramento was the closest alternative. It has since built a strong reputation among collectors and dealers across Northern California. You can also shop select items online through their Instagram (@tigbyhillvintage), where Mary and Peter regularly post new finds. Back at the shop, expect a greeting from Henry and Dexter, the two Chorkie pups who have claimed the role of unofficial mascots.