3 minute read
Explorers & Adventures
TREASURE
Hunting
BY » Renee Roberson
PHOTOGRAPHY BY » by Lisa Crates
Businesses help showcase the fruits of collecting
Popular Collectible Items
» Vinyl records » Coins and currency » Antique furniture » Comic books » Classic cars » Old cards » Stamps » Vintage wine » Antique weapons » Jewelry
Source: NewMediaWire
If you’re a collector, or simply enjoy browsing through the treasures of other people’s collections, add Main St. Antiques and Design Gallery to your list of places to visit soon. The antique mall is located three blocks south of downtown Mooresville, housed inside the former Burlington Industries mill.
Visitors can stroll through 160,000 spacious square feet of space and the treasures and collectibles of approximately 200 tenants. The building itself, with brick walls and original wood beams, lends itself to naturally showcase a variety of collectibles, antiques, vintage clothing, artwork and custom upholstery. Michael Bay owns the entire mill property, which includes more than eight buildings and 40 acres. The 121-old structure that now houses Main Street Antiques sat vacant for almost 14 years before Bay saw the potential in the property and purchased it.
Model train enthusiasts will find a lot to love at this vendor booth at Main St. Antiques and Design Gallery.
Vintage finds
On a recent visit to the mall, I was first mesmerized by Toy Pickers, a vendor who specializes in selling vintage toys, games, cards and comics. It was fun to peer into the display cases and look at the carefully boxed toys I had played with during my childhood. It gave me several ideas for future gifts for loved ones. Then, I moved on to see what some of the other vendors had to offer. Over the next two hours, I walked up and down the aisles, browsing collections of vintage records, dishes, home accessories, electronic equipment, cameras and much more. One person even had a display of antique cookbooks, which as an amateur cook, I found interesting.
I ended up purchasing a beautiful vintage vase and antique stainless steel coffee percolator my husband had been seeking out every time we went to a thrift store. I also found a homemade laminated wooden sign someone created using the Charlotte Observer article that ran right after the Carolina Panthers defeated the Philadelphia Eagles and won the NFC Championship in January 2004.
A collection of military memorabilia to sort through. I snatched it up quickly, knowing it was an item my teen sports-loving son could use for bedroom décor.
A word of caution—checking out the treasures inside may help you work up an appetite. But don’t worry, though, you’ll find Alino Pizzeria and Barcelona Burger and Beer Garden right next door.
Those interested in selling and renting a booth through Main St. Antiques and Design Gallery can submit an application on the website, but word on the street says there is a wait list for vendors at this point in time.
Learn more at www.mainantiques.com.
At first glance, it may seem like stores specializing in custom frames mostly work with finding the perfect way to showcase artwork and photography. But they can also help display memorabilia and collections LKN residents have brought into their homes over the years. Lake Norman Frameworks, located in Denver, has helped frame the sports jerseys of NFL and NBA players, NASCAR drivers, and create shadowboxes with wedding memorabilia and photos, vintage items passed down through families over the years. Owner Greg Cox is also community focused, often donating gift certificates to local charity auctions. Learn more at www. lknframeworks.com.
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