Antiquing in southwest Virginia is a fantastic opportunity to find the treasurers you need to brighten up any space. Between true antique shops, charity thrift stores and roadside bargain boutiques, the opportunities for antique or collectable enthusiasts are too numerous to count. In any of them, you can locate unique pieces at great prices.

Why Do We Antique?

I go antiquing because I relish the anticipation and wonder I feel as I browse through the isles of these stores. I think my husband would say that antiquing is my form of hunting. Because my mother collects Irish Belek, I’m constantly on the lookout for pieces I can pick up and give to her on special occasions. I’m also looking for decorative pieces and furniture that to add to our motel rooms and cabins in the hope of making our accommodations cozier and more comfortable. When we can, I’d rather decorate with pieces that aren’t massed produced.

Before our 2023 season, we were on the hunt for small tables, chairs and lamps to add to our six camping cabins. As we approach 2024, we’ve been on the look out for nightstands for our motel rooms. Between my husband and I, we took at least five trips over a couple of weeks and scoured Fancy Gap, Hillsville, Galax, Cana, Mt. Airy and Pilot Mountain. In the end, we found everything we needed, and saved hundreds of dollars compared to buying new.

I feel like our success is due to the process we’ve established over the years. The steps may seem obvious, but if you’re new to antiquing you can use them as starting point to develop your own approach to successfully finding the pieces you’ll come to treasure.  

Know What You Want

The first rule of antiquing is to know what you want.  I don’t mean in a general sense. I’ve had some frustrating experiences when I wasn’t clear about details like size, shape, color and price range.  Taking the time to think through details like these helps you stay focused. Remember, antique and thrift stores are full of objects that will all vie for your attention. Getting sidetracked is easy if you don’t have clear goals in mind. Also, measure before you go and write the measurements down. Keep your notes with you and bring a tape measure. If you forget your tape measure, ask to borrow one. I’ve never known a shop that didn’t have one handy.

Browse Regularly

Browsing is an important part of your antiquing toolkit. Peruse sites like Facebook Marketplace or Craig’s list. Stop in stores that you pass while you’re out running errands. All of that time helps you to see what’s out there and where it is. You’ll learn the quality of the items different places offer and how they price their items. When it’s time to buy, you’ll be able to hit the road with a list of specific destinations in hand that will most likely have what you want at a price you’re comfortable paying.

Set Your Price

Make a budget, and stick with it. Don’t be afraid to offer the owner a lower price. I’m not a haggler, but my husband will wheel-and-deal in a heartbeat. So, I find it, and he negotiates. It’s an approach that works for us.

If you’re in a consignment style antique store, they may need to call the person who is selling the item you want. Be patient, and wait for them to get you an answer. Also, don’t pass up the purchase you want because you came in your car instead of the truck. Ask if you pay for it will they agree to hold it until you can return. My husband has rearranged his schedule many times after I’ve called or texted with news of a great find.

Be Willing to Pass Up Items

While you’re out looking, you will no doubt run across an item that is close to what you want. The price might be a little high, the color not quite right or maybe there’s a visible scratch you don’t like. Be willing to walk away. You need to trust that with a little more time and effort, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for. No doubt, you’ll have moments when you kick yourself for not buying something when you saw it. Personally, I’d rather have a few of those times and then a lot of buyer’s remorse.

To Fix or Not to Fix

Before we started our search for tables, chairs and lamps for the cabins, I knew that the pieces we found might require some work. I was right. Some of the tables and chairs just needed a good dusting before we put them in a cabin. Other pieces needed extensive TLC. My husband had to resecure one of the table tops to the frame. Another table needed to be repainted. Two of the chairs and one of the tables needed to be sanded, stained and coated with polyurethane before they were usable. Our search for nightstands for the motel went differently. We decided that we needed pieces that didn’t require work. We headed to some of our favorite shops and found exactly what we were looking for, at prices we wanted and in the condition we needed.

Personally, I find turning an ugly duckling piece into a swan enjoyable and satisfying work. You can often save money if you have the time and space to do the work. Just remember that when you first start out, you’ll have the added expensive of buying supplies and tools. The more you fix things up, the less expensive that side of antiquing will get. These days when we decide to work on a piece, we usually have everything we need waiting for us in the garage.

For some, fixing up items isn’t an option either because of space, time or cost. If that’s true for you then keep that in mind when choosing stores and setting your budget.  

Around Fancy Gap

If you are coming to stay with us at Fancy Gap Cabins and Campground, here are some of the top places my husband and I regularly find some great treasures:

Vintage Rose, Cana, VA

Goodwill, Mt. Airy, NC

Mount Pilot Antique Mall, Pilot Mountain, NC

There are also shops in downtown Hillsville, VA, which is about 10 miles from us north on Hwy 52, and in downtown Galax, VA, which is about 20 north miles from us off I-77, exit 14.

Don’t forget about the other towns in our area, including Meadows of Dan, Floyd, Independence, Fries and Stuart.

Learn more about Fancy Gap Cabins and Campground at fancygapcabinsandcampground.com. Choose a cabin, RV, motel room or tent site and enjoy a stay along the Blue Ridge Parkway.