07/20/2024
I responded yesterday to a FB post asking where there was a cluster of antique venues within an hour and half to two hours from Raleigh. My response (feel free to SHARE if you agree!!)
If you actually want to do some BUYING, then Mt Airy is your place!! 10 or so shops all within walking distance and another 8 or so within a 5 mile radius...and that doesnt even count Pilot Mtn then all the way N on 52 to Hillsville, VA!! Did I mention Memorial Day and Labor Day??!! And not one booth shops either ... There are a few that are that quaint owner/vendor kind of shops but several that are 20+ vendors... And trust me when I say, I've been doing this a looonnnng time from Round Top, Tx to Washington, DC....and I have settled here in Mt Airy NC bc the shops here are shoppable! All the stores around here have folks that are sharp buyers so they can put prices out there that even in this economy- you can afford!! In fact, most all of shops and vendors leave enough meat on the bone that shop owners and vendors can afford to buy here and still resale the items back at their home shops! In my experience, and I have been in just about every area mentioned in these comments, and if you are into LOOKING in museum grade shops full of ooh's and aah's and a couple of 'I wish's' tossed in, those shops are EXCELLENT for that!! But I would bet that you don't need to drive a truck to visit them bc you most likely are not going to fill it! But here in Mt Airy, drive a truck, a big one, or heck go ahead and rent that Penske box truck! You will need it!! In fact, you may want to be prepared to ask shop owners if they have any storage available so you can return in a few days, or a week, and pickup all the rest of your awesome buys!! I KNOW in my shop (warning- shameless plug ahead..... Rust&Dust, 140 W Pine St, in downtown) our inventory will not be the most perfect, carefully manicured pieces all arranged to have flow as you pass through.... But it will be awesome uniques and oddities that will have you saying over and over-'I remember seeing that in my Grandma's house!!' And like every other shop owner/vendor in this town, we will be HONEST with you to the extent of our knowledge and research as to authenticity and any prior damage/repairs, etc...... Now I am certainly not saying sellers in other towns will lie and deceive you, but I am saying that as a whole, sellers here will research and KNOW their inventory so that you don't get home and find out that you are indeed holding a reproduction you paid authentic price for! In fact, I am a seller, as others here are, that will refund your money and expenses if you come back with irrefutable evidence that I misstated a piece as authentic, original or genuine and I was wrong on it! Im not a cocky know it all, but it's after 1AM here and I am researching pieces to place in storefront in the morning! I love sharing back stories on pieces with new owners! Sooooo.... Come on over to Mt Airy, listen to some incredible bluegrass music, eat some awesome food, and fill your truck with pieces that you are PROUD to tell your friends (or your husband!!) exactly what you paid for it!! They won't believe you, but it's worth a shot!! Then leave time at the end of the afternoon to spend an hour in our Bargain Basement where you may have to do some rummaging, but there's no telling what you may turn up! Hey ... Make it an overnight stay as there are one OR TWO QUALITY auctions within a 10 mile radius 6 nights a week!! No high pressure auctions... Just friendly family owned and operated auctions full of fun, great food and terrific buys !! Heck, holler at me and I'll even save you a seat beside me at the auction and buy you supper!! See you in Mt Airy SOON!!
