If you’re not familiar with Athens, Georgia, then you probably don’t follow college football (University of Georgia is located in Athens). Music fans know of Athens thanks to hometown bands such as the B-52s and R.E.M, but I’m here to talk to you about secondhand shopping in there. Specifically, the best antiques, vintage, architectural salvage, and thrift stores in Athens, GA!
Word of warning- check the Saturday game schedule before you make the trip if you visit in the Fall! I hit it up the first Saturday of Spring Break, which was the perfect time to go junkin’. Want to see what I discovered?
Antiques and Thrift Stores in Athens, GA
So, let me tell you, this antiques store was a complete and utter surprise. AND I swear, it was truly a case of “If Sadie was a store”. A little of this, a little of that, and a whole lot of fun!
From the moment we parked (in front of gorgeous salvaged gates), to the moment we walked in (two stories of well-curated vintage pieces, repurposed art, and architectural salvage), to the moment we finished paying for our treasures, it was love at first sight AND purchase.
I highly, highly recommend this shop- to anyone who enjoys quirky vintage and project inspiration.
And they also boast the best selection of architectural salvage in Athens, GA, too.
This was a truly charming little thrift store. It was full but organized and boasted plenty of vintage treasures in its housewares area.
They had a really lovely collection of old books- If I had been in the market for some, they would have come home with me! But I found some ‘70s crewel that I just couldn’t live without. And I’ll definitely go back next time I’m in town.
This vintage shop had been on my “need-to-check-out” list for a while. I don’t recall how it ended up on my radar, but it did and it didn’t disappoint.
My favorite part, though, was the front yard- scattered with fun & funky “junk”, like wrought iron pieces, old potting benches, and plant stands. I’m also a big fan of junky gardening or garden junk, and this is definitely the antiques store for that, as well.
Have You Gone Junkin’ in Athens?
We honestly ran out of time to hit everything I had wanted to see. But, I’ve heard really great things about the following shops, as well:
Trust me, next time I’m in Athens, I’ll hit up a few more antiques and thrift stores and will let you know what I find!
I DID, however, want to let you know where we eat every time we go junkin’ in Athens, GA: Heirloom Café. It’s a farm to table restaurant in Athens, GA located inside a converted old gas station! Right up my “reuse” alley.
As you know, stores open and close all the time- and at the time this was written (April 2016), these were my favorite antiques, vintage, architectural salvage, and thrift stores in Athens, GA. Now that several years have passed, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Are there new antiques stores or thrift stores in Athens that I should check out?
I’m also super excited to announce that my first book is now available! If you love working with flannel or fabric crafts in general (sewing and non-sewing), then you will LOVE “Crafting with Flannel”!
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.
Thank you for the tour, Sarah! It must have been fun to check out those shops. Lots of great treasures. I’m in love with those awesome doors.
Thanks, Julia!!!
What a treasure you’ve found in this little town!…The beautiful ironwork at the first shop, and the organized shelves with all the plates and teacups @ Attic Treasures would have me swooning!…loved it all. Now to tell hubby that I want to go to Georgia!
I couldn’t agree more!
What a great story about the marble marbles. I would have pictured tiny little workmen chipping them into shape, but the real method is even more fabulous. What a great trip, thanks for sharing!
Isn’t that the best? I was so tickled by the story and had to share it with y’all. 🙂
😉
Looks like a fun trip! You make me want to take weekends away every weekend!
Haha! We have so many amazing options for day trips and overnights, don’t we? Just returned from one this weekend and have an exciting one coming up in late May!! 😀
I saw many things I loved especially those doors,
I need a trip to Athens! Make sure you go up the road a piece to Statham – it’s worth it!
You are not the first person to tell me that…and Braselton is also fantastic! So many road trips, so little time. 😉
How fun! My kind of shopping!
Roadtrip is my middle name. 😉
We are the same constanlly looking for this little antiques, vintage or thrifty stores, and every time I travel is a most to visit them.
It’s the best kind of exploring! 🙂
Athens is one of my favorite places to visit not only for the football but the antiques too. I was introduced to the delights of Athens when my daughter went to UGA but after reading your post an visit is in order. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks, Sharon!
Thanks for taking us along!
🙂 That’s what I love to do!
Thank you so much for including us on your tour review. I look forward to meeting those who come let your recommendation!
You are so very welcome, Bonnie- I would LOVE to have a shop like yours in Greenville, SC…but I never mind driving to Athens for the day. Lunch at Heirloom and shopping at Lexington Vintage, each and every time I go!
In Athens, there are 2 Habitat Restores that have reclaimed items from remodels and demolitions. About 10 miles west of Athens, Statham GA, has several antique stores in their little downtown area.
Stratham is already on my list of places to check out!!! 😀
Oh a dream trip! I do love architectural salvage… those doors…. sigh…
🙂
https://gwingal.blogspot.com/
Right???
You need to check out Rusty Dusty Antiques in Winterville, Ga. They have a Facebook page as well.
Thanks, Jennifer!
When, I take my tour bus trip through America, Athens Ga is place I need to stop,
http://csuhpat1.blogspot.com/2016/04/2016-swinging-skirts-part-1.html
Now THAT sounds like a fantastic trip!
I live in Athens. So, here’s a few more you might have missed:
https://www.facebook.com/Starliteshowroom/?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/agoravintage/?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/atomicathens/?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/thepopeonprince/?fref=ts
I love Agora, too (as mentioned in my blog post)- I just ran out of time! Thanks so much!
Oops. For some reason, I skipped right over that sentence and went straight to the Heirloom Cafe sentence. Possibly due to picture association? Oh, well. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the read. Thank you.
No worries and thank YOU! I really can’t wait to go back to Athens and hit the shops I missed. Great town!
You should come right down the street to Statham, GA we have 7 shops an auction and Spanish deli all within walking distance on the train tracks….cute little town
Thanks, Nicole!! It is on my list now- soooo many people have recommended it to me, so I will DEFINITELY be heading there sometime and will do a similar blog post for sure. 🙂
Check out Sweet Jasmine in Winder. Downtown Winder also has several shops. For a road trip, Pine Mountain is a great antique destination.
Awesome, Jann- thank you!
I’m planning a trip to Georgia this summer and would love to check this out. Thanks for stopping by Celebrate Your Story.
I told my hubby that I want to go to Athens, Georgia and he said, ” well, we’ve never been to Georgia so I’ll take you next week on our way to the beach”!…so I have to take notes from your post and all the great comments.
That’s awesome, Suzy!
Hoschton/Braselton have some great shops. The Porch Frog, Fox and Hound, Farmhouse Antiques. Braselton Antiques, A Flea An’tique and Countryside are just a few.
I love Braselton!!! Countryside is an alltime fave- in fact, I’m overdue for a return trip. 😉 Thank you so much!
Sarah, these all look like great shops full of lots of treasures!! Love those amazing doors!! It would be neat to go pickin in Athens someday.
Athens was truly a pleasant surprise! I’d recommend Lexington Vintage (where the doors were) to pretty much anyone and everyone!
Next time you are in the market for shopping southern treasures, go to farmhouse Antiques in brasselton, ga. I stumbled upon it by accident, while searching for something else. He has unusual hours because he has a full time job elsewhere. So check his schedule ahead of time. He has incredible contacts and taste. Love, love, love this piece of vintage heaven. Oh, and around the holidays, OMG!!!!!
I LOVE that shop- I think it used to be called Countryside Antiques?? But yes, I need to do an entire post on Braselton, just the most adorable town.