Vintage, furniture shops have called Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square home for decades

Whistlestop Antiques in Historic Railroad Squareon Fourth Street in Santa Rosa, Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat) 2022

In Santa Rosa’s Historic Railroad Square, four stores have something in common besides location. Their decades in business, supported by their principles and their customer service, keep valued patrons returning year after year and bring in new clientele excited to shop even during the ongoing pandemic.

Whistlestop Antiques

Among the biggest draws attracting newcomers to the antique shop are the big display windows. The ever-changing displays are constantly refreshed by one of the dealers who aims to showcase eye-turning goods with the hopes a treasure will soon find a new home.

Whistlestop Antiques got its start in Railroad Square when rent was just 10 cents a square foot. Forty-eight years ago, Barbara and Russell Donahue rented half of a former auto repair facility for an antiques and secondhand store.

“Railroad Square was considered a colorful area in 1974,” Barbara Donahue said.

Three years later, the business was doing so well, they took on partners: Carl and Phyllis Moura, Dee and Harry Richardson, and Jim and Tillie Botz. Together the team paid off the other tenant and doubled their square footage.

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Kathleen Rhodes

Kathleen Rhodes, Founder of What's Up Santa Rosa

Kathleen Rhodes is the founder and CEO of Appy Marketing, a digital marketing agency that specializes in helping small businesses and startups grow their online presence. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Kathleen has a proven track record of delivering successful marketing campaigns that drive results. Her passion for technology and innovation has led her to develop cutting-edge strategies that leverage the latest digital tools and platforms. Kathleen is known for her strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and unwavering commitment to her clients’ success. Under her leadership, Appy Marketing has become a trusted partner for businesses looking to thrive in the digital age.

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