If you’re shopping for a piece that would go perfectly in that one spot in your house, discovering a rich collection of treasures and antiques at reasonable prices is crucial. We are fortunate in the Temple/Belton area to have so many stores to meet the need. I will be focusing on two of them just down the road from my home.
6th Street Antiques (and Treasures!)
The first antique shop I happened upon has become my favorite. 6th Street Antiques is actually housed in two older homes right on 6th Street near downtown Belton, Texas. The owner Laurie Oler has loved antiques and decorating spaces since she was a little girl, going on ‘treasure hunts’ on Sunday afternoons with her dad.
Laurie started the business in 2007 as a Christian book shop but it quickly transformed into an antique and gift shop. It closed for a time but reopened in 2013 eventually adding the 2nd house.
One house is an antique mall for the 10-12 vendors who decorate their spots and update regularly with new merchandise. In the other house at 6th Street, Laurie keeps her collected treasures. And, in the backyard is a ‘Pickin’ Barn’. The prices have always made sense. No big town, big-name markup. Love it! I’ve purchased several decorative pieces for the walls in our new home and also a sweet dresser which now holds a display of my teacups in the entryway.
I found the perfect desk for my office and a small decorative chair for that spot near our front door. I’ve found paintings and kitchen decor. And, so much more. And, I keep going back because things change often in both houses. You just don’t want to miss out on any of those antiques and treasures!
The Exchange on Main
Another classy antique store is smack in the middle of downtown Belton on Main Street. The Exchange on Main is in a large space and it houses the wares of many vendors. You can spend an enjoyable morning going up and down the long rows (I believe there are five), checking on both sides; contemplating where that could go because it’s so darn cute. And, then you remember half-way through that you should be looking for something to put on that big wall in the master bedroom. So, you start all over again!
In the process of searching high and low at The Exchange, I’ve found a few super fun treasures. This last time I was there with friends and we found a set of speakers from a back-in-the-day drive-in movie theater! My friend Barbara also found one of those old wooden fold up rulers. Remember those?
Both of these wonderful businesses are friendly and helpful and enjoy what they do as much or more than their customers.
Fun research around the rest of the state
I’m looking forward to finding more and more treasure troves around my new state. I keep hearing about the ones I ‘just can’t miss’. There’s Round Top, Market Square in Austin, the Canton Marketplace and others. Check here to learn more, I will be!
Your Turn
What do you look for in an antique store? Where are your favorites?
We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. II Corinthians 4:7
Finding a new purpose in living and joy in the day-to-day was the goal when author Kathy Rowland and her entire family (adult kids and grandkids) moved from the PNW to Texas several years ago. The focus of Quiet Hollow is to encourage ‘next chapter women’ – those who are retired, empty-nesters, or have found themselves without a spouse to jump back into life. And, she shares multiple tips, ideas, and possibilities toward that end. Kathy completed her almost 30 years as an elementary teacher and hopped into over a decade of volunteer work, side hustle-type businesses, and grandchild care before discovering her unique and fulfilling purpose for the next chapter of life. What you read on Quiet Hollow is a large part of that calling. Another part is the happy life she’s leading in Central Texas in the same neighborhood as the 3 big kids and her 5 grandkids. She and her college sweetheart husband made sure to add a pool to their new Texas home, so there are lots of noisy, splashy days in their little oasis of a backyard. Come join her on Quiet Hollow in a conversation about finding and living the life you were created to live in this later stage. The chats will be full of laughter, support, faith, and inspiration to create.
I have been to the Exchange several times and have found several items for my Junk journal making! I sooooo love old things! Kathy!! Next time you go or when you go to the away places….if you need a buddy to ride along!!! I am raisin my hand! I am soooo happy that you are happy here!!!! There are only two things I don’t like about Texas….the summer heat and the worry about the poisonous snakes! Other than that I love it!
So many good shopping spots for antiques around here! And, yes I do love being a Texan…summer really hasn’t been bad for me, I guess I love the blue skies so much and am getting used to the heat. Have you been to 6th Street?