Published Jun 20, 2016

These Quaint, Charming Towns In Alabama Are Full Of Antique Treasures

Published Jun 20, 2016

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Published Sep 20, 2024

This Enormous Antique Mall in Alabama Will Bump Your Thrifting Game to 11

Firehouse Antiques and Collectibles Station #2, an antique mall in Decatur, Alabama, has grown a following as vast as its inventory since opening in 2022

Published Sep 20, 2024

Written by

Lisa Battles

Firehouse Antiques and Collectibles Station #2, an antique mall in Decatur, Alabama, has grown a following as vast as its inventory since opening in 2022. While that may be partly due to its more established sister store – Firehouse Antiques in Huntsville – my favorite thing about this place is you'll never know what you will find.

While that could be said about most antiques and collectibles markets, the sheer volume and unusual quality of stuff makes an impression. That begins the minute you arrive in the parking lot at Decatur Shopping Center on Sixth Avenue.

Recently, the store has expanded its outdoor furniture, signs, garden items, and some bicycles into a fenced area along the end of the building. It also set up an entire estate sale in an adjacent open retail space in the center. Easily keep up with these kinds of happenings, plus open house and customer appreciation events, special sales, and new booth arrivals on the Firehouse Antiques and Collectibles Station #2 Facebook page.

Few spaces are spared to display all of the treasures gathered in the store, which may seem overwhelming to some. When you pick a path and focus on individual booths, a sense of organization takes shape. Sure, there are many booths with a variety of odds and ends from different eras. There are just as many or more full of items specializing in specific types of goods.

Large display cases and shelves display a good amount of glass art, collectibles, and similar pieces near the storefront windows, allowing the sunlight to dance across their shapes and colors. Vendor specialties include kitchenware, antique and vintage paper goods, nostalgic toys, vintage jewelry, dishware, holiday items, records and audio equipment, motorsports collectibles, and many more.

One of my favorite sections is the area dedicated to art that includes original canvases, art prints, photography, needlework – any type of wall art you can imagine, spanning eras. While there are spaces and booths dedicated to certain items, it's worth it to explore the entire store if you have something particular in mind. As I mentioned, some booths contain a collection of items from a single estate or particular era, so you could find the perfect framed artwork or glass collectible staged and styled amid other items.

Another personal favorite about this place? Their greeter, Black Beard (BB for short) is a big sweetheart. While he won't bother anyone who doesn't want to pet him, he loves it when folks do.

Dog person or not, we think you'll love the finds you discover at this huge antique mall in Decatur, Alabama. Let us know when you go and tell us all about your haul! In addition to the store's Facebook page shared earlier, you can check hours and get other info on the Firehouse Antiques and Collectibles #2 website.

I am guessing if you're reading this, you are into antiques and vintage finds, right? If you're planning a visit to Decatur, you can stay in this Airbnb which is an entire pre-1905 home in the city's Albany Historic District. It's a beautiful, walkable neighborhood and less than two miles from this unique antique mall and still others downtown.

Attractions|Antiques Shops

Published Sep 13, 2024

This Massive Antique and Décor Market in Alabama Has Its Very Own Filipino Coffee Shop and Café

Treasure hunters know to make University Pickers a first stop when seeking a conversation piece of furniture, unusual home décor, or the perfect gift

Published Sep 13, 2024

Written by

Lisa Battles

Treasure hunters around the state and beyond know to make University Pickers a first stop when seeking a conversation piece of furniture, unusual home décor, or the perfect gift. Recently it's become a stop for delicious Filipino specialty drinks, too.

This décor and antique market in Huntsville, Alabama has been around since 2013, when sisters Tricia Gleason and Cindi Pope launched their business as a booth.

These days, their enterprise covers 24,000 square feet and two floors of more than 200 businesses. Each vendor showcases their fabulous finds and creative products in thoughtfully curated shops filled with handmade, vintage, and antique furniture, plus fashion, art, and gifts. Visitors have told them it's like "Pinterest come alive." A calendar packed with special events and DIY classes enhances that vibe.

alt — University Pickers-Mary's Place Vintage Furniture and Decor/Facebook

Make the most of your time exploring all the goods by stopping at one of the newer businesses inside University Pickers, Kape Tayo, a Filipino Coffee Shop serving classic coffee drinks and Filipino specialties. Kape Tayo translates to "Let's have coffee," and people have been eager to take the invitation. Customers love the shop's signature drink, Ube Kape, or "purple coffee" as folks call it for its bold color that comes from a key ingredient – ube, a sweet purple yam.

A couple of years ago, owners Gordon and Riza Krom moved to Alabama from Oregon, where they had a popular food truck offering Filipino cuisine. When Gordon retired from his day job, the couple decided to sell the business and move South for their retirement adventures. While they've been enjoying time being closer to friends and family here, they couldn't find anywhere local making the delicious Filipino drinks they were used to serving (and enjoying themselves!). So they launched Kape Tayo, much to the joy of their growing fan base. You can learn more about their menu and featured drinks by following Kape Tayo, LLC on Facebook.

University Pickers is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. The second Saturday of each month is a prime time to visit when the business hosts the Merrimack Market, named for the historic Merrimack District in which it's located. Besides the usual great vendors you find indoors, the outdoor area fills with pop-up vendors selling everything from fresh veggies and baked goods to handmade jewelry and art. If you are looking for a stylish place to stay in the Rocket City, I recommend 106 Jefferson in the heart of downtown.

You can find the full events calendar on the University Pickers website and catch the latest news on the University Pickers Facebook page. Have you shopped at this décor and antique market in Huntsville, Alabama? We'd love to hear all about your favorite businesses there.

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These Quaint, Charming Towns In Alabama Are Full Of Antique Treasures

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This Enormous Antique Mall in Alabama Will Bump Your Thrifting Game to 11

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This Massive Antique and Décor Market in Alabama Has Its Very Own Filipino Coffee Shop and Café

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All Stories

This Secluded Airbnb Cabin in Minnesota Is the Perfect Place for a Digital Detox

You Can Enjoy This Unexpected Autumn Adventure in Wyoming Even After the Foliage Is Gone

This Secluded Airbnb Cabin in Idaho Is the Perfect Place for a Digital Detox

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