Walk into a cluttered junk store or antique shop, look on the walls and up at the ceiling. Those items used to be “the everyday”, but now they are considered by most to be “the yesterday”. I am an old-school lady who loves to recycle and repurpose those old things, whether they be true antiques or just junk. When I was on a Mississippi and Louisiana road trip, searching for travel-writing story ideas I came across these three wonderful shops. They were so full of “treasures” waiting to be rediscovered. I was amazed at the variety of lovely items; here are just a few examples.
Wooden chairs hung from the ceiling, some were perfectly fine and some needed minor repairs. One looked exactly like a rocker my grandmother once owned. As their prism of colors played in the light, crystal chandeliers and punch bowls beckoned me closer. Real candle sconces of brass or pewter begged for me to light a candle and shine a ray of hope for their future. Vintage books sat sadly tucked away on bookcases where no one was likely to read them.
There are differences between junk and antique, but they are often difficult to define exactly. A thrift store sign does actually get me quite excited because it indicates the potential of what I love to call the thrill of discovery. Does it depend on age, condition, usefulness, or patina? Does a piece of clothing or an old purse ever really become a valuable antique? Why is one old kitchen bowl worth five dollars while another one remarkably similar may be five hundred dollars? Well, whether you call them junk or antique or vintage…there are oodles of items in shops like this that need to be discovered and need good homes.
Oh, how I longed to be able to give each of those gently used pieces a happy new home. However, I had already surpassed the budget for that particular journey. These are the things that can add so much sentimental and aesthetic value regardless of their actual price tag. A true find for four dollars can make a million-dollar-difference in the eyes of one who is delighted to own it. As an older item myself, how I do wish vintage finds could be treasured once again. They are not obsolete; they are simply waiting on someone to find a new way to love them.
Have you ever come across such wonderful vintage items during your travels? Have you taken some home? Were they to be used for a purpose or simply for decoration? Were you able to repurpose any such items for a new use? Please do let the reader about your experiences!! You can leave comments here and also join our Facebook Group @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/embracesouthernstates
Thank you.
It’s unique that these small stores have many memories and history about them. Many items in these mom and pop stores are wonderful. It’s fun to get to know the people, listen to their stories, and browse the items and maybe choose some to take home.
Wish more people could appreciate “vintage” shops like these.
I love vintage shops. You find the coolest stuff in them. I use or repurpose anything I get from these places.