Lovers of antiques have a profound appreciation for the way in which well worn items that have passed through many hands tangibly connect us to the past. Although the people who once held, used and loved these objects may no longer be physically with us, we can get a sense of their spirits in the type of lives they lead by using and appreciating these objects ourselves. And not only this, they are lovely. The care, craftsmanship, time and pride that went into items produced in previous eras and ensured that they would physically endure — and, it imbued them with an indelible beauty that is somehow only amplified by their dings, chips and cracks. Austin county is home to several antiques vendors who view their wares in exactly this way. If you are a kindred spirit, you won’t want to miss the chance to meet them and shop their stores full of historical gems.
Mustang Alley Antiques
When Mary O’Neal opened her store, Mustang Alley, it was a natural progression of her lifelong interest in antiques. She has operated her business since 2000, but the building in Cat Spring that houses her collection was formerly the Strauss General Store, which operated from the early 1900s until around 1965. Upon purchase, it was already full of antiques, and she later added additional items that she transported from Chicago. Her offerings are eclectic, but she especially appreciates rusticstyle antique furniture that features metal and wood combinations. In addition to antiques, she carries cowhides and does custom framing. The store is mainly open by appointment, so call 979-877-8344 to browse. For more information and pictures, you can visit the store’s website at www.mustangalley.us. Mustang Alley is also on Facebook and on Instagram @mustangalleyantiques.
Nothing Ordinary Antiques
Housed in a renovated 1920s auto dealership, Nothing Ordinary Antiques in Bellville has a whopping 7,700 square feet of antiques and oddities to explore. The owner of this establishment, Nancy Lawrence, opened her store in 1989, and she makes frequent trips to England to acquire new inventory.
In addition to the items the owner brings back from her travels, the store hosts numerous booths where individual vendors sell their own finds.
Shoppers at Nothing Ordinary will discover antique furniture (country, cottage and Victorian), Victorian and Edwardian apparel items (clothing, parasols, jewelry, bonnets and purses), majolica (English, European and Japanese), country primitives (American, Texan and European), barbola work, French ivory, transferware, fine china and glassware and much more.
Additionally, the store has a section of modern, on-trend home and garden décor. The store is open Monday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The store’s website, www.nothingordinaryantiques.com, has pictures and a wealth of information; you can also find the store on Facebook.
Stardust Emporium
Chris Redman, the proprietor of Stardust Emporium in Cat Spring, has been an avid collector of antiques for 40 years. She sees the beauty in well-loved objects with rich history, and she has always appreciated the fine craftsmanship of bygone eras that stands in stark contrast to the feel of today’s mass-produced, almost disposable products. Her store — housed in a decades-old former fire station — is part of the home that she and her husband share. This cozy space has been open to patrons since 2014, and it is absolutely jam-packed with antique, vintage, and collectible items such as furniture, kitchen implements, dolls, china, glassware, old jars, butter churns and grinders. When possible, she likes to obtain relics that have a verified date or provenance, and she rotates items into her shop from her generous back stock. Another attraction that visitors enjoy browsing is the store’s lovely quilts — some antique, and some new but hand-stitched. They are open three days a week — Friday, Saturday, and Sunday — from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Stockyard Antiques
As its name implies, Stockyard Antiques is located in the historic Port City Stockyards in Sealy. Owner Phyllis Robson opened the store in 2015 when she moved here from Georgia. She had been in the antiques business there, too, so she wanted to continue doing what she loves. Her deep interest in history and flair for interior design (in fact, she minored in it in college) combined to make this business the perfect niche for her personality.
Visitors to Stockyard Antiques can find everything from primitives to midcentury modern pieces, including furniture, art, glassware, pottery, and various décor items. In addition to all of this, the store sells rustic gates from the stockyards and features the Park Hill line of candles. The store’s hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1–4 p.m.
Pick Up a Treasure from the Past in Austin County
If you live in Austin County or find yourself visiting or traveling through, you need to put these shops on your checklist of destinations. You won’t regret communing with the spirits of the past by admiring their antique treasures.
Better yet, take one or two items home and daydream about the people who owned them before you. Their joys and sorrows are imparted in the well-worn impressions they left behind, and you might find that you have more in common with them than you think.
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