Beware Billy Bob Thornton and anyone else with an old furniture phobia. The Antiques Road Show rolls into Atlanta on Saturday, bringing out lucky ticket holders who are hoping their family treasures won’t be trashed by the appraisers.
Yes, antiques are still selling, even if many younger buyers are more interested in the mid-century modern look of “Mad Men” than anything early American or Victorian. And the grab-and-go collectibles that antique dealers call “smalls” are the big thing at many shops.
“In the past, people used to decorate their entire home with antiques,” said Royce Haley of Canton Antique Market in Roswell. “Now they’re using smaller antiques as accessories or they’ll use something bigger as a signature piece or a statement piece.”
Jim Dinnen of Historic Roswell Antique Market said the Antiques Road Show has helped keep people interested in antiques and collectibles. “Of course, some people think the things they have are worth a lot more money,” Dinnen said. “It doesn’t always work out that way.”
Along with Haley and Dinnen in Roswell, we checked in with shop owners in Chamblee and Marietta for a road trip roundup of three metro antique shopping "districts,” plus places to stop for refreshments on the way.
Roswell
Canton Antique Market — Locals and tourists flock to this antique mall in the heart of Roswell's bustling Canton Street row of quaint shops and cool restaurants. With over 60 dealers and nearly 16,000 square feet of space, look for a variety of collectibles, plus new merchandise and gifts.
Favorite finds: Owner Royce Haley said vintage cameras are really hot right now. "The cameras go out the door just about as fast as they come in," Haley said. "Painted furniture and buffets are big sellers, too."
Where: 970 Canton Street, Roswell, 770-518-7860, cantonstreetantiquemarket.com
Historic Roswell Antique Market — Located in a small strip center on Alpharetta Street, the tidy space features upscale offerings that recall a design center. There's fine art, estate jewelry, architectural antiques, rugs, lighting and American, French and English furniture.
Favorite finds: Owner Jim Dinnen said visitors are fascinated with the collection of tall grandfather clocks. "Everyone loves to look at those," Dinnen said. "There are some beautiful 1700s and 1800s antiques."
Where: 1207-C Alpharetta Street, Roswell, 770-587-5259, roswellantiques.com
Roswell refreshments: Just around the corner from Canton Antique Market, Salt Factory is a lively, modern pub where you can grab a burger and a beer or a salad and a glass of wine. 952 Canton Street, Roswell, 770-998-4850, www.saltfactorypub.com
Chamblee’s Antique Row
Broad Street Antique Mall — Open since 1979, the largest store on Chamblee's Antique Row attracts browsers, dealers and decorators with 20,000 square feet of American and English furniture, collectibles, jewelry, paintings, prints and medical and scientific instruments in over 200 showcases.
Favorite finds: Owner Syl Turner is particularly proud of the extensive collection of African-American historical books and artifacts. "We have everything from slavery through Jim Crow and Civil Rights," Turner said.
Where: 3550 Broad Street, Chamblee, 770-458-6316, broadstreetantiquemall.com
Rust 'n' Dust Antiques — Look for furniture, radios, telephones, luggage, western gear, bicycles, Coke memorabilia and medical items at this quirky old curio shop. Owner Shirley Maddox has been holding court there for 37 years and she'll be in line at the Antiques Road Show on Saturday.
Favorite finds: Maddox lays claim to the South's largest collection of old sports equipment. "I do a lot of prop rentals for movies," Maddox said. "And we sort of specialize in bookcases and office and kitchen items."
Where: 5486-5492 Peachtree Road, Chamblee, 770-458-1614, antiquerow.com
Chamblee refreshments: Across the street from Rust 'n' Dust, the Old Chamblee Bistro offers deli sandwiches, such as tuna and artichoke, along with side salads and drinks. 5480 Peachtree Road, Chamblee, 770-457-9869, chambleebistro.com
Marietta Square
DuPre's Antique Market — At 20,000 square feet, the largest antique market in Marietta includes over 50 dealers, the Old Clocks shop and the Art Forum, featuring works by local artists. Antiques and collectibles range from china and glassware to vintage dolls, hats, furs, records and books.
Favorite finds: "We sell a lot of jewelry," said owner Mike Barie. "And we did start a mid-century modern section, with late '50s, heavy '60s and early '70s furniture and accessories, that's doing very well."
Where: 17 Whitlock Avenue Southwest, Marietta, 770-428-2667, dupresantiquemarket.com
Antiques On the Square — After 26 years, Jim and Melissa Kumpe's hip store on Marietta Square has evolved to include a new vinyl record shop and a high-fi audio salon. But you'll still find some 10,000 used albums, along with civil war memorabilia and a huge collection of vintage cameras.
Favorite finds: "We have kind of the whole history of recorded music here," Jim Kumpe said. "We have 78-rpm phonographs, old musical instruments and even live performances on occasion."
Where: 146 S Park Square NE, Marietta, 770-429-0434, sweetmelissarecords.com
Marietta refreshments: Around the Square, Johnnie MacCracken's antique firehouse decor, Irish-influenced pub menu and sprawling beer list offers a unique respite. 15 Atlanta Street Southeast, Marietta, 678-290-6641, johnniemaccrackens.com
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