Friday, Nov. 14, 2008
Something Old
By Kathleen Bynum
Living Editor
If you travel down Northwest Highway in Grapevine, you may have noticed a small orange sign on the marquee near the shopping center with Beall’s and Tuesday Morning.
It’s not advertising a new restaurant or spa, but it does offer an interesting opportunity to lose a few hours.
Several weeks ago, the Grapevine Antiques Mall opened, next to White’s Chapel United Methodist Church’s resale shop, Angel’s Attic.
Tucked into the far corner of the complex, the outside is a bit deceiving.
You imagine it will be a small space, but in actuality, it’s a former gym, so it’s quite spacious — enough for more than 100 vendors.
Stepping into the store, you’re greeted by friendly staff.
If you allow it, the space can transport you to another time.
Surrounded by early American and Colonial furniture, you can almost image family dinners around an old mahogany table.
For people who grew up in the area, they may be interested in an original Grapevine High School drum. While this piece isn’t actually on the auction block, it’s a great piece of local history.
A creative montage of 14 American flags is hung on one wall of a former racquetball court, that’s been transformed into an awesome patriotic display.
Charlie Weems, manager of the antique mall, said one of the vendors helped him with the display. The flags were a donation to the shop, he said.
In addition to the early American furniture, shoppers can expect to find unique collectibles such as Hummel and vintage Victorian figurines, as well as original oil paintings, clocks, Oriental rugs and furniture, fine glassware, ceramics and an assortment of memorabilia. Estate jewelry, rare coins and books are also among the antiquities. Curio cabinets contain Lladro figures, collectible cookie jars and unique salt and pepper shakers. There’s even something for the sports enthusiast — from Emmit Smith plaques to Troy Aikman bobbleheads.
Most of the downstairs booths are full of interesting bits of history, and beg to be pilfered through.
Weems is well on the way to filling the upstairs, as well. From an awesome display of guitars to Oriental furniture, the upstairs offers an interesting look through the spyglass.
Many antique shops sell more than just old stuff — they offer unique items, often bought at market. The majority of Grapevine Antique Mall’s merchandise are authentic antiques, but the shop does sell about 10 percent of new items, including china teapots, coffee mugs, salt and pepper sets, cheese ball packets, reproduction poodle skirts, and various other knickknacks.
While part of Weems job is to fill the mall with items that will sell, he is also there to give the store ambiance.
Part of that ambiance will be an outdoor patio area. The fans are already up and running, and Weems expects solar panels to be installed to help save on electricity.
Inside, more changes are on the way.
Soon to come, he said, is a gigantic ceiling clock.
Brown paint shades a circular area around 12 fluorescent lights, representing the 12 hours on a clockface. When it’s finished, it will be a sight to see, Weems said.
Adding to the atmosphere, a model train will circle the area close to the front staircase, Weems said.
What’s most appealing about this antique mall is thats it’s not overdone or too crowded.
The antique shop offers shuttles to and from area hotels, according to its Web site, grapevineantiquemall.com, for tourists who want to spend some time off Main Street where the other local antique stores are located. The shop, at 1641 W. Northwest Hwy., is open seven days a weeks, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
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