Paris on Ponce an eclectic shopping experience

One of the things that made Paris so exciting for George and Judi Lee was visiting the many open-air flea markets. So when the owners of an antique shop in Florida moved their business to Midtown, they set out to re-create that same sort of eclectic shopping experience at Paris on Ponce.

“We wanted it to be the kind of place where you just might find anything, from $1 to a few thousands,” said George Lee. “We started with a small flea market and it kept growing so that we eventually moved into this 50,000-square-foot space.”

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T. Opdyke III / Special

An antique rotary phone makes a comeback at Paris on Ponce.

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T. Opdyke III / AJC

Silver, china, artwork and more are part of the store’s varied selection.

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Inside that multi-roomed, concrete-floored store, the chances are fairly good that you’ll run into more than just the usual antique store merchandise. There’s as much one-of-a-kind, offbeat and sometimes wacky as there are traditional items.

“There’s such a great variety here that if someone comes in with the most bizarre request, we can usually fill it,” said George Lee.

What you’ll find

Some of the most eye-catching pieces are just outside the front door, where several different-sized replicas of the Eiffel Tower stand in front of the brick building. Inside, there are room vignettes of dining suites with tables, chairs and buffets laden with antique china, glassware and linens. Living rooms are arranged with a cashmere sofa ($1,895), mirrored tables, an armoire and Victorian shelves, as well as upholstered chaise lounges and leather sofas. Headboards and beds in various sizes are mixed in.

The decor pieces run the gamut of styles, colors and tastes: framed wall maps, over-sized throw pillows, metal stars, wooden candlesticks, bowls, printed privacy screens, gold-gilt mirrors and antique phones. Lighting options include chandeliers, table lamps with fringed shades and Tiffany-style pole lamps.

Items you may not know you need could be an antique silver basket, a Russian samovar, a piece of stained glass, vintage suitcases, a model sailing ship or a purple feather boa. The eclectic mix comes from the way the couple buys, said George Lee.

“We buy whole estates — we don’t go to auctions,” he said. “We buy the few pieces of new furniture from companies who are changing lines or moving, so we get what’s left and can sell it at a lower price.”

Trends

Amid the antiques and accents, more of the store’s customers are looking for contemporary pieces, said Judi Lee. “They’re definitely going for cleaner lines,” she said. “They’re embracing the Art Moderne look from the 1950s in chairs, tables, sofas, mirrors and chandeliers.”

Best-sellers

The big hits here are the perfumed oil lamps from France. The Lampe Berger collection starts at $35 and goes up to $86 for styles. Along with what’s in store, other sizes and styles can be ordered as well. There’s also a selection of oils for the lamps.

Fun fact

Paris on Ponce isn’t just about shopping. On the second Sunday of each month, drop by for a free tango lesson and demonstration. At the end of the month, the beat switches to salsa. Dancers are on hand from 1 to 5 p.m.

WHERE TO FIND IT

Paris on Ponce

716 Ponce de Leon Place

404-249-9965

www.parisonponce.com

Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; noon-6 p.m. Sunday

In the area: The store is close to several Midtown shopping districts and restaurants, as well as the Whole Foods Market.