Road Trip Alert: 7 Great Towns For Thrifting and Antiquing

By Vanessa Infanzon

Hop in the car and take a road trip to these towns for antique stores, thrift stores, and consignment shops with clothing, home decor, furniture, and jewelry. We’ve included dining and accommodation recommendations if you want to make a weekend of it.

First…plan

Stacy Armstrong, manager at Southern Finds Thrift Store in Dahlonega, Georgia, offers these tips for shopping efficiently:

• Make a list of what you want ahead of time.
• Bring measurements to buy furniture for a specific space in your home or office.
• Check if the store has weekly sales and military and senior discounts.
• Ask the shopkeeper questions about specialty items you want to purchase.
• Make sure the clothes fit before you purchase because most items cannot be returned.
• Conduct a quality check: Look for cracks, holes, pulls, and stains.

1. Asheboro, North Carolina

Head to Collector’s Antique Mall for high-quality antique and mid-century furniture, vintage Lane Furniture, North Carolina pottery, antique toys, and clocks. Shop for comic books, movies, paintings, toys, and more at the Flea Marketeers. Buy repurposed furniture from Vintage Cottage 150.  Find Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan, women’s clothing and bibs, blankets, and hats from Copper Pearl. Comic book enthusiasts can get comic books, collectible, and vintage toy lines at Antiques & Geeks Collectibles.

Eat: Indulge in breakfast, sandwiches, and burgers paired with house-made bread and desserts at The Table Farm Bakery. Energize with a bagel sandwich at Asheboro Bagel Co. Sit down to Southern comfort dishes at Magnolia 23.

Stay: Find AAA discounts at the Fairfield Inn by Marriott Asheboro, Hampton Inn, and Holiday Inn Express and Suites.

2. Dahlonega, Georgia

Support No One Alone, a domestic violence shelter, with your purchases from Southern Finds Thrift Store. The nonprofit sells clothing, jewelry, kitchenware, and shoes. Check out the 80 booths at Antiques & Collectibles for dolls (Barbie, Madame Alexander), China, record albums, and more. Look up Gold City Antique Gallery and Gateway Antiques for more shopping.

Eat: Order the sweet tea glazed salmon filet or a low country boil at 19° North. For German and Swiss dishes, go to Bratzeit.

Stay: Find AAA discounts at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Dahlonega – University Area. For the bed and breakfast experience, reserve a room or the cottage at Mtn Lauren Creek Inn & Spa.

3. Greenwood, South Carolina

Bring your walking shoes to cover these shops in comfort: Uptown Shoppers Market features 54 vendors with antiques, farmhouse-style furniture, and handcrafted items. Rainbo Antiques & Interiors treasures include art, antique furniture, estate jewelry, and lighting. Explore Home Consignments for “lightly loved used furniture.”

Eat: Try Buenavista Latin Cafe for authentic Cuban food in Greenwood. Relax at The Mills House for pizza, Good Times Brewing for beer and tacos, or Kickers Takeout for sliders, soups, tacos, and more.

Stay: Find AAA Discounts at the Baymont by Wyndham Greenwood, Hampton Inn Greenwood, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Greenwood Mall and Inn on the Square.

4. Lexington, North Carolina

Plan your visit around the outdoor Farmers Market-Flea Market on Tuesdays from ‘sunup till the dealing’s done,’ usually, 1 or 2 p.m. Antiques, clothing, tools, and more are sold in the 600 vendor booths. Make time for River House Emporium in Uptown Lexington. It carries upscale farm décor and furniture and vintage antiques. Evanbrook Makers and Finders Marketplace is filled with accessories, collectibles, glassware, handcrafted home décor, and repurposed furniture. Fuel up with coffee and pastries at Tricia’s Corner, inside the building. Finish the day at Wennonah Mills Consignment Emporium or The Collectors Depot of Lexington.

Eat: This is barbecue country with more than 15 joints (that’s what they call them here). Ask for the barbecue plate with hush puppies and sweet tea from the Barbecue Center, Lexington Barbecue, or Smokey Joe’s Barbecue.

Stay: Find AAA discounts at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites the Vineyards and Hampton Inn Lexington.

5. Pilot Mountain, North Carolina

On April 17, this mountain town will host the 2021 Spring Pilot View Vintage Market, one of two annual markets, on Main Street. Browse through shops on Main Street and throughout the area: Foxy Blue Boutique, Grace & Sparrow Southern Boutique, The Marketplace at Pilot Mountain, Mount Pilot Antiques, and A Vintage View.

Eat: The 19th Hole Grill at Pilot Knob Park Country Club is open to the public and serves burgers and sandwiches. Stop at All Sauced Up BBQ for breakfast, lunch, and dinner or The Tilted Ladder for nachos, wings, and flatbread pizzas.

Stay: Get cozy at Chateau at Jolo Vineyards or Rosa Lee Manor.

6. Sevierville, Tennessee

In between adventures at Dollywood and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, shop at
Green Olde Deal Antique Mall and Flea Trader’s Paradise Mall for vintage items. For antique car collectibles, go to Chip’s Antiques or schedule a visit around the Dixie Gas Show in April, September, and December. Support the Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministry with purchases from Treasures from the Heart Thrift Store.

Eat: Get ready for the day with biscuits, home fries, and omelets from the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant. Relax with food and music at Tony Gore’s Smoky Mountain BBQ & Grill or go back in time at this 50s themed eatery: The Diner.

Stay: Find AAA discounts at Appleview River Resort, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, and The Resort at Governor’s Crossing.

7. Jacksonville, Florida

Before you head to the beach, see what you can find at Amy’s Turn Consignment Shop. They have clothing from infant to junior sizes, maternity clothing, baby equipment, books, vintage toys, and more. Hit all four locations of Fifi’s Fine Resale Apparel. The San Marco store has bridal wear in addition to high-end men‘s and women’s clothing. Pick up designer bags, women’s dresses, and shoes at The Snob. BEAM Thrift’s two locations support Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry.

Eat: Fill up on fish and seafood at Dockside Seafood Restaurant Jax Beach, Julington Creek Fish Camp, or Mavi Waterfront Bar & Grill. Walk around historic Five Points and grab a bite at the Black Sheep Restaurant or Taqueria Cinco.

Stay: Find AAA discounts at Four Points by Sheraton Jacksonville Beachfront, Holiday Inn St Augustine – World Golf, or the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront.

BEFORE YOU GO: Contact markets, restaurants, and shops ahead of time to ask about the most up-to-date operating hours and procedures and COVID guidelines.

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