As soon as the first inkling of Fall hits- be it a nip in the air, the faintest color on leaves, or pumpkin ANYTHING- we get a hankering for a road trip into the mountains. Autumn and mountain life just seem to go hand-in-hand. And since it’s September, it seemed natural for us to pack up the truck in search of vistas and vintage. This time around, we decided to go to Boone, NC, a place we’ve been before but never fully explored, in search of the best antique stores and thrift stores.
Home of Appalachian State University, it’s an energetic college town smack dab in the- you guessed it- Appalachian Mountains. And since we were driving through Blowing Rock, North Carolina on the way to Boone, we couldn’t help but stop at a few shops along the way.
This Junkin’ Journey blog post was originally published in 2016. It was recently updated in 2020 to reflect store closures and/or openings. Please note that Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina and affected many mountain towns, including Boone and Blowing Rock. Please check with stores before visiting to determine current status.
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Antiques and Thrift Stores in Boone, NC
So, right off the bat, I fell in love with a Mission style desk at Possum Hollow. I just wanted to put it out there in the open…but I didn’t buy it…and yes, I’m still thinking about it. BUT, back to the shop…this is a small (but full) shop set in the upper floor of a furniture restoration business.
I didn’t catch a photo of the desk (we got to talking about weather with the owner) but perhaps that’s for the best. But as you can see, the shop is FULL of furniture options with plenty of smalls here and there.
2024 Storm Update: Freedom Farm thrift store is currently closed as all inventory was destroyed. However, they do plan on re-opening when they have new inventory.
This thrift shop in Boone, NC is deceptively large. When you first walk in, you see a few shelves of glassware and think, “Is that it?”. But if you continue walking back through the room of books, there is nearly an entire WAREHOUSE of secondhand goodies. Furniture, appliances, clothing, housewares, and linens galore.
Hominy Mill Mercantile
This two-story “general store” is a primitive lovers dream. Located at 3894 US Highway 321 S. in Blowing Rock, it is filled to the brim, from the porch to the second story, of primitive, handmade pieces that are one-of-a-kind.
Of all the antique stores in Boone, NC that we checked out on this trip, Antiques on Howard was probably my favorite. I’m easily overwhelmed at endless/massive antiques malls, but this shop was the perfect size.
And they had SEVERAL booths that were right up my alley (boho-shabby, mantique tools, vintage clothing/accessories). I found a few treasures here and would definitely go back whenever we’re in Boone again.
Easily the largest thrift store I went to in Boone, NC, Ram’s Rack is a sprawling space on the main drag downtown. Filled with a LOT of housewares, it’s definitely a picker’s and upcycler’s dream. There is also a very sizable clothing section AND an entire basement with furniture, to boot.
Creaky floorboard alert! (Sorry, I always get excited about antiques shops in old buildings that have creaky, squeaky floors). This shop is probably Boone’s best-known antiques store, as it sits proudly on the main drag through town.
We thought we could escape the throngs of people outside by tucking into this store, but there were throngs inside, too! It offers a LOT of treasures, though, so the crowd inside wasn’t exactly a surprise.
And while I didn’t capture any photos of it, we also checked out Village Thrift in Blowing Rock, NC. It’s a darling little shop, with a room of housewares and books up front and a little clothing boutique down the hallway. 2024 Update: Village Thrift is closed for the foreseeable future due to Hurricane Helene damage.
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Have You Ever Gone Junkin’ in Boone?
I really do have a mountain soul, so the landscape of Boone and Blowing Rock really speaks to me. And I’m so glad we finally got to do a little exploring. Plus, if I ever decide I want to learn how to ski, I’m pretty sure Boone will be at the top of the list. Of course, skiing would take away from time spent junkin’ or DIYing, so… we’ll just have to see about that.
As you know, stores open and close all the time- and at the time this was written (originally September 2016, but now updated in July 2020), these were my favorite antiques, vintage, and thrift stores in Boone, NC. Now that several years have passed, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Are there new antiques stores or thrift stores in Boone that I should check out?
And I’ve been junkin’ in other places, too- check out all the places I’ve traveled to here and start planning your own junkin’ journey!
Explore on!
S
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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
We’re in the process of hitting all the thrift and antique stores in/near Shallotte, Southport and points in between. There are quite a few — more than is listed from online sources. We took Holden Beach Road (Rt 130) out of Shallotte. There are a few down that way. Then, if you take 17 to 211 and go toward Southpoint, there are plenty there. We had enough time to stop at two. Then, we drove into Southport, and there are plenty of others to visit.
In Shallotte proper, there are 3 thrift/consignment stores and 1 that is mostly larger furniture. (Shallotte, NC is about half way between Wilmington, NC and Myrtle Beach, SC on Route 17.
I’m thinking of taking my time and going to each one of them. I think reviewing them and writing about them on my blog might be helpful to others. I’ll work on it, but it may take awhile. If you have any specific questions, let me know. I might be able to help you out. (I checked the box to be notified of new comments so I won’t miss an opportunity to help.)
I wasn’t impressed with the thrift stores in the Calabash area, but others might be. There are quite a few. (I shy away from the places that have a lot of clothing.)
Oops! I forgot one already. There is the Fancy Flea (vintage, antiques and collectibles) on Route 17 just east of Shallotte. They have an annex they can point you toward. It’s just a hop, skip and a jump away (maybe 1/2 mile).
There is a ReStore (Habitat for Humanity) and a furniture consignment store in Ocean Isle Beach, NC on Route 904/Beach Drive SW which is on the mainland.
I’d love to read your post when it’s ready! Wilmington is on my list of places to hit, as well- and it’s too far from where you’re talking about (I think?).
Because the area is so near the coast, that it’s marshy, and there are many wetlands, inlets, sounds, The Intracoastal Waterway and rivers. There are few bridges to give direct routes to many destinations. Around here, most of us don’t travel “as the crow flies”, but meander to get to where we want to be. There are a couple of ferries that can get you from one place to another, like from the tip of Hanover County to Brunswick County. It’s really a mess. We just have to work around it. You would have to travel from Wilmington to Supply (junction 17 and 211), which would take 30 minutes or more. Then, if you traveled straight to Southport from there on 211, it would take another 30 minutes or more. But, it is 211 where all the thrift/consignment/antiques stores are, so you would be making plenty of stops, I would hope!
Alternatively, you could take cross the drawbridge near downtown Wilmington, then take 133 through Bellville to Southport. That would take 36 minutes or more. Once you get into downtown Southport, there are about 4 antique stores in that area, but the thrift stores are mainly away from town (on 211). The town is rather quaint {old brick}. {This is the town where a Nicholas Sparks movie was made — Safehaven, I believe was the name of it.} This route is rather scenic {the last time we went through}.
Instead of going the ocean through Bellville, you could go the opposite way into Leland. There is a thrift store call The Hope Chest {benefits battered women}, a ReStore {Habitat for Humanity} and a consignment store (last I knew) with large furniture and decor.
I’m not that familiar with the thrift/antique/consignment stores in Wilmington, but I’m sure there are plenty. I just can’t remember a single name!
When you go back north, go past Boone to West Jefferson. It is a cute little town and has a great antique store on the way to Main Street. Of course I don’t know the name of it, it’s just the biggest one in town! I’ll try out the ones in Boone on my next visit!
Oooh, thanks, Lois- will do!!
I’m delighted you came to my neck of the woods! Thanks for the reviews!
I didn’t know what’s where you lived, Carole!! Any other suggestions in the High Country?
Love to hear where you are next. I love antiques, primitive shops, yes even good yard sales. I would love to take a trip with you. We would be hitting someone’s old barns, fields whatever to dig for stuff. Thanks for sharing with all of us.
Betty Whatley
Thanks, Betty!! Fall is my favorite time of year to travel, and I can’t wait to share my adventures with you. 🙂
I always enjoy scrounging through thrift stores, antique shops, etc. and enjoy the hunt for the treasures. I love the stuff at Howards!
Love the framed embroidery and can’t wait to see what you do with the treasures you’ve found. You’ve got me thinking what I can recycle/recreate in the house. LOVE DIY projects; great fun when the hubby and kids join in, too.
Love shopping with you! And I love the cross stitch and especially the saying…
It’s so good, right? Something for everyone to remember. 🙂
That’s a “Yankee” saying from New England, I believe. At least, Yankee magazine attributes it that way. I enjoyed reading about your antiquing adventures. I’m jealous that you got to see Blowing Rock, as I’m a fan of Jan Karon’s books, and her “Mitford” is supposed to be based on it.
I picked up a glass shade at the Sept. Brimfield, since I had seen your
Ghosts last year. I can’t wait to try it, and thanks for the mini glow stick link! I won’t need a whole package…maybe the extras can be grandkid treats.
I didn’t know that connection with the Jan Karon books- so very cool!!!
This looks like such a neat trip! how fun!!
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Earlier in the week I suggested to my daughter that we have a girl’s weekend getaway soon. I don’t think this would interest her but I would be like a kid in a candy shop!
Beautiful part of the country! Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday.
I love boho and vintage stuffs so much. The Antiques on Howard look like a perfect destination for me to visit. Definitely go there when I have chance. Thank you for sharing btw!