Time again for another one of my junkin’ road trips, and this time I decided to do some shopping in Chattanooga, TN. And of course, the type of shopping I’m interested in is antiques, vintage, architectural salvage, and thrift stores in Chattanooga, and I’ve gathered up my favorites to share with you!
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Shopping in Chattanooga, TN
This was the first shop we hit on our adventure, which set the bar awfully high for the shops that followed. The Refindery is equal parts architectural salvage and retro/vintage home goods…so you really get the best of both worlds! I oohed and ahhed over salvaged bits, but found treasures throughout the store. I didn’t snap a pic, but I finally found an awesome vintage plaid thermos to add to my holiday décor- huzzah!
Vinterest has been on my radar for a number of years now, and was one of the “hooks” that spurred my roadtrip to Chattanooga, TN. And I was NOT disappointed! This is a fun shop if your aesthetic is shabby/cottage with a touch of farmhouse thrown in for good measure. Lots of painted furniture and vintage elements throughout the store- as well as décor inspiration, which is always a good thing.
Friends, what’s a junkin’ journey without an animal-based charity shop?? Y’all know I seek them out wherever I go- and Chattanooga, TN was no exception! So, we checked out this local humane society shop and I’m happy to report that it’s a winner! A nice mix of housewares and clothing for sure, but it was the wall of handbags that made me most excited.
This store was probably the “October Surprise” of the trip- I didn’t have any expectations for it but it seriously BLEW ME AWAY. It is definitely for furniture shopping- which we aren’t in the market for right now, booo!- and the prices are absolutely phenomenal. Mr. Seasongoods has already stated that this shop was worth the trip alone and when we ARE in the market for furniture, he says we’ll be coming here first.
Estate of Confusion – Closed in 2017
Gosh, I just love the name of this store…and it describes it perfectly. This is hardcore architectural salvage- and by that I mean, watch your step! I think it was the selection of metal elements that was most intriguing for me- trellises, gates, etc.
Definitely an interesting adventure in and of itself if you’re ever near downtown Chattanooga.
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As you know, stores open and close all the time- and at the time this was written (October 2016), these were my favorite antiques, vintage, architectural salvage, and thrift stores in Chattanooga, TN. Now that several years have passed, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Are there new antiques stores or thrift stores in Chattanooga 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.
Wow, that looked like a fun trip!! Glad you didn’t have to have your car heater on high, lol!
YESSSSSS!!!! 😉
Fun! Estate of Confusion – love the name – I think that’s what my basement inventory storage is.
And my garage!! Isn’t that the best name ever??
I am bookmarking ANOTHER of your trips, such fun! You can add travel agent to your resume.
Thanks!
Ha!! I *do* love a good junkin’ road trip, that’s for sure. 🙂
O,K, What a lovely trip I so wish I lived closer…….thanks for sharing with a person who literally loves the hunt…….
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Lynne!
I’m liking Finders Keepers, just for the sign on the wall that says Pearl – that’s what we named out tiny house – Pearls Place, after hubby’s aunt who left him a bit of money in her will – we used it to build the house! I love your road trips.
Thanks, Jacki!!
What’s a 8+ hour trip for? Love to go, so I’ll book mark it!
Eight hours is nothin’ if there’s good junk to be had, right?? 😉
Hmmm…It’s funny…I was looking at a map wondering how we could wiggle up to Columbus, Ohio, via Chattanooga. That would be kind of fun… We’ll see!
I’m so glad you came our way! I live near Chattanooga, and Vinterest has become a second home to me! Made many purchases from Insyde Outside as well!
I had no idea that’s where you live- very cool area!! We had THE BEST meal at Embargo 62. And we lived in South Florida for a long time, so we know good Cuban food. Delish!
You found some great shops to explore!
I did!! Thanks so much. 🙂
Those little round things in a bowl. Are they rosettes? Are they made of metal and have a place to screw in a handle. If they are rosettes, you dip them in a thin cookie mix (pourable) and deep fry them. Pry off gently with a fork and sprinkle powdered sugar on them. Yum!
They are actually spigot/outdoor faucet handles!
Looks like I need to head back to Chattanooga! Thanks for sharing all of your great adventures.
Did I hit some of the places you’ve been before??
Thank you so much for including my shop, The Insyde Outsyde Shop.
It was truly amazing and I’m so envious of the folks in Chattanooga to have access to it all the time. Would be dangerous for me if y’all were here in Greenville, SC. 😉
I live in Chattanooga now! It’s not NYC but then again…..enjoying everything here!
Ha! I can see it being a HUGE cultural shift from NYC. 🙂 I’m from Chicago but live in Greenville, SC…so I get it. But we do get to live in a gorgeous part of the country now, don’t we?
Thanks for a great review of MY town. One you missed was Hunt & Burrow. Not all junk but great handmade and antiques.
Thank you, Rosemary!!! If we ever get a chance to return, I’ll be sure to check out Hunt & Burrow- appreciate the recommendation!!
You have absolutely named several of my favorites here! The Refindery has enough diversity to make any stop a winner….and Vinterest is a newcomer who has become hugely popular too….but come back to Chattanooga and the surrounding area….there are 5-6 places that you haven’t mentioned like Joy’s United Antiques and Ringgold Feed and Seed Antiques both in Ringgold and a slew of antique shops on Ringgold Road by I-75. Many great great options in this area with super prices and varieties.
Thank you, Margie!!! Love the recommendations, too- hopefully we’ll get a chance to come back. 🙂
Thanks for visiting Chattanooga and giving such a fun review of some of my favorite places!
Wooohooo, sounds like I hit the good ones!! Thanks so very much. 🙂
Wow…how fun! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Yes, I have been to Chattanooga several times. My sister used to have an antique shop there, Dayton and Pikeville, TN. I am so glad that you went back and enjoyed it. I love to go there and to some of the auctions there also. You had some places that I haven’t been and enjoyed reading about them. Will have to visit. I love to follow you around on your trips. Thanks so much for sharing them with us.
Betty Whatley
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Thank you so very much, Betty! I love sharing my adventures with you.
I love Chattanooga! We just made a trip for Fall Break. I’m definitely going to have to make another trip to do some junkin!
I agree- you definitely need to go back now! 😉
I’ve been to Chattanooga but never thrifted and antiqued there but it is going on my list of places to go. Thank you for sharing at Snickerdoodle.
Let me say first, Grand Junction, CO is not into antiques as much as other places we’ve lived. There are maybe few shops downtown, that’s it, as far as I know. They do not have antique shows, total bummer. Have lots of thrift stores but prices are outrageous compared to other places we’ve lived. Sorry, but it’s true, as far as I know.
Reading about all those incredible shops in Chattanooga made me pine for KY where we lived for 5 yrs. before CO, talk about plethora of incredible thrift and antique stores. Plus other states are so close to get to from KY. Still miss our house and land there, plus prices of real estate. Prices here are like southern CA. where we lived for 21 yrs.Too bad weather was so bad for me in KY, is why we left to move here. Just can’t please everybody lol. If I’d had my druthers we’d have moved back to MT where we lived before KY, before KY, MT., before MT, San Diego areas. Before S.D.,Tucson.
Hope you’re having great Fall weather. Enjoy your Sunday
I LOVE Chattanooga! I lived there for 5 years and still miss it. If you are ever back in the area, check out The Knitting Mill, its on the north side of the river from downtown. Has a mix of junk, antiques and handmade items.
The Knitting Mill was on my list for several years…and they closed just one month or so before I finally made it to Chatt! Can you believe that timing?? So sad.
What?! I had no idea!!! That is so so sad 🙁 I’m sorry you never got to check it out.
You certainly found some great shops here in Chattanooga, but you missed some awesome ones at the East Ridge Antique District. The area has several shops all in one location, so you can park your car and walk around the District. My favorite shop is The Mason Jar Mercantile, but then I own it! I think you’d find this area a fun place to visit the next time you’re in our area.
Thanks, Paula- I’m always looking for recommendations as I explore the South! I’d love to go back to Chattanooga and check out your shop sometime- will let you know if that ever happens! We ate at a TERRIFIC Cuban restaurant in Chatt and would totally go back for that alone, LOL.
Hope you’ll visit the East Ridge Antique District next time, the last exit on the way to Atlanta leaving Chattanooga. Park and visit all stores. Have to mention Sugar Plum and my shop, https://b-m.facebook.com/RustyBlueDoor/. (I was in the old Knitting Mill). Thanks for the post.
Oooh, thanks for the reco- I sure will!
Thanks for this! I looked up each place and, as others said, The Knitting Mill is closed (which you didn’t mention but someone did in the comments). Estate of Confusion and Second Chance Thrift Shop also appear to have gone the way of the dodo. It still leaves a lot to check out – thank you! (I also, in looking for The Knitting Mill, found Dirty Jane’s Antiques and Retro Revolution, which may have moved from there?) Thank you!
Yes, the Knitting Mill closed a week or 2 before our trip- and as you can see, that blog post was from 2016. Sad to hear when stores close after I wrote about them, but that’s the nature of the business, I guess. Those two new stores you mentioned sound pretty awesome, though!
A new unique place is now open in Hixson, TN called Dusty Depot. Not far from Vintrest which I love too. You got to check out Dusty Depot.
Ohhh, that’s great to know, BJ! Thank you for the head’s up – I’m over due to go back and update this post, so that’s terrific info for me. Thanks!