When fall came around, I spent hours dog-earring the Sears and Roebuck catalog. There were 2 small shops in town where Mom bought me sneakers and school shoes. Period. The choices were very limited - Aigner, Bass, Famolare and Converse. There was always a selection of saddle shoes (we called them Bee-Bops), but they had to be ordered and the wait was eternal...
If we needed a formal dress we would drive 60 miles to Evansville, IN and buy from another nice, small family-owned shop. Soon things would change forever. I didn't realize the profound nature of the up-and-coming word, "Mart"...
It all started on a Saturday night after me, Mom, and Dad finished eating at the Golden Corral (another very new place). We crossed the parking lot into K-Mart.
It was a young country girl's dream. Lot's of trendy things and really cheap! I can still remember running to the 'Blue Light Specials' to see what treasures I could gain... The rest is pretty much history as I slowly watched the small family shops go under when Wal-Mart moved to our county. I was beginning to feel duped...
The small town began to succumb to the mass-produced lifestyle. They couldn't compete. It was as if a ghost had erased my hometown...
Enter: Teresa Holeman
A former resident who was born in Sturgis, but had left for the Carolina's. She has returned and taken the Ole Sturgis Antique Mall, put her heart and soul into reworking this mall to be the best Antique Mall in the country. The building is formerly a sewing factory, where my Mom worked nearly all of her life! It is 28,000 sq. feet full of treasures, houses over 100 dealers and 50 showcases. Her booths are my favorite as she has more vintage wearables than anyone I have ever seen!
With the help and support of other Sturgis businesses and residents, the town is revived and thriving. It hosts the Little Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and we even have a new bakery!
When asked why she loves Vintage pieces so much, Teresa said that she didn't like cookie-cutter styles. Vintage has history and is usually one-of-a-kind. (When I visit the mall, she is always so busy and sporting some type of vintage piece)...
I agree with her pre-loved ethics, and always try to find a goodie or two when I'm there. To be able to support small business makes me feel like part of something right and better.
Here are some of her pieces:
The famous body of brooches that greets you when you enter the mall.
Everything is pristine and original, pressed and perfect. No yuckies allowed!
I usually take at least 3/4 trips in :)
I have Never seen such a terrific vintage hat collection from fur to silk and all in between...
She also keeps up with the 'trends' of Vintage as well.
Right now, glasses and hats are the most requested.
(I am on her 'to find' list for a cigarette tip holder)
I know! She does that for ya!
Ooohh, and her bags!
And jewelry. (There was so much to shoot!)
I've never seen these that old before....
There are many more vintage clothing and accessory booths as well, but are you getting tired,yet?
Be sure to bring a little:
A big thanks to Teresa, Mike, Stacey, Anna and all the wonderful Small Town Hero's who are making a difference in how we see our world, how we treat our treasures and how we can manage the earth by recycling pre-loved merchandise.
No Cookie Cutters for them!
She also takes phone orders and ships!
(She has put blood, sweat and probably lots of cash into revamping this mall.)
It is incredibly awesome!
Looking for something special?
The Mall is located on US Highway 60 in Western KY, very close to Indiana and Illinois...
Right by the only 4-way stop!
As my dad said, you have an obligation to leave the world better than how you found it. And he also reminded us to be givers in this life, and not takers.
xXx
Reva
