A Collection of Cool Stuff & Southern Hospitality!
B
orn and raised in Union Springs, Alabama, Virginia “Ginny” Allen attended college in Mississippi and then moved to Auburn University. She didn’t know then that she would live all over the south. She had visited Rabun when her grandmother would bring them to Sky Valley, Georgia on vacation but never dreamed she would live here in the mountains of northeast Georgia. Her husband was hired by Rabun’s Fruit of the Loom plant several years ago and that is why they made a move, although never letting go of homes in Alabama and South Carolina. You have heard the term “mover and shaker”, that aptly describes Ginny. She might be in Dillard at her store today and in Alabama tomorrow and back to Aiken the next day. She loves to stay busy and is good at it. She is the owner of The Dillard Market in Dillard, Georgia, now let’s take a closer look… “When you walk through my doors you will find quality antiques and collectibles from floor to ceiling!” she told me in a recent interview. People, she wasn’t kidding. This store is a treasure trove of some really COOL stuff, including local art by folk artist Scott Peppers and artist Blake Gardner. They are not the only artists whose work is on display at The Dillard Market. They are two of over 15 regional artists who sell their works through Ginny’s store. “I can sell their stuff because I share their story. I want you to know whose art you are taking home; the story behind the piece or about the artist is what makes it so valuable.” she says, and I believe her. “I have classic to contemporary art in here from every medium; sometimes the artists are onsite and you can meet them. Like local artist Lucy Holcomb. She is 75 years old and her history and background are what make her stuff so incredible,” she continued. “The who, what, when and where matter.” I commented that the minute you walk in the door, the aroma is pleasing. “It’s fresh herbs,. We sell organic lavender sourced from France and we have lines of organic herbal products here, plant based body butters, soaps and hand sanitizers.” Whatever it is, I like it! Many have commented to her that she has the “Coolest store around” and it definitely will keep you mesmerized, just trying to take it all in. In addition to the artists she has 10 vendors who sell antiques and collectables. From a phone booth to an egg basket, a painting of our first President to an antique shaker cabinet you will be simply amazed. “I have a blended and curated store, like Ed Watkins’ birdhouses. He has taken old and new, rusty and shiny and put it together and created some incredibly unique birdhouses. That is representative of what I’ve done here,” she said. “I have a great group that works here with me and we have a great following. People drive from all over to see what we’ve added to the store. They call ahead and let me know they are coming. I am blessed with friends wherever I go. We lived 23 years in Aiken, South Carolina and our store there thrives because we are part of that community too. Then there is the 200 acre farm in my home state of Alabama. I still work on the farm when I am there. I am a ‘Jack of all trades, and master of none’, a can-do kind of person. Our specialty is customer service; true southern hospitality is what our customers experience, and if they come in unhappy I guarantee they’ll leave with a smile.” I think she is right, the nostalgic factor is huge and the lavender is calming and the friendliness is the icing on the cake. The Dillard Market is located at 6810 Hwy. 441 North in Dillard, Georgia. You are invited to check them out at www.facebook.com/dillardmarket/ where you’ll stay up to date on what’s new. For additional information feel free to call 706-746-3529. When you visit let them know you saw them in the Georgia Mountain Laurel!
72 GML - November 2020
