
It’s been a minute since I shared a shopping trip at my favorite antique mall!
To escape the heat, you’re invited to join me for a little retail therapy in the comfort of the A/C!

The Depot at Gibson Mill is the largest antique mall in the South. This former historic textile mill was converted into an antique mall with more than 750 dealers and 88,000 square feet to shop. . . be sure to wear some comfy shoes!

The Depot is about an hour’s drive from the lake,
if it were any closer, it would be hazardous to my wallet!

I like to visit at least once a quarter to see the seasonal changes . . .

And see what new goodies the dealers have gathered.

I especially love to pop in to see what’s in store for the holidays. . .

I’m ‘mad for plaid’ and thought these skates laced with tartan ribbon were so clever! Such an easy upgrade for an old pair of skates to make a swag for the door with the addition of greenery, pinecones and a bow!

Over the years I’ve found some treasures and a few things that had to come home with me. . .
I couldn’t leave this transferware pitcher behind!
{ Blue and White Transferware and Monday Morning Blooms in the Potting Shed }
{ Lakeside Table and ‘Pitcher Perfect’ Limelight Hydrangeas }

We found old porch columns and barn wood there to build a Potting Bench . . .
{ DIY Potting Bench with Reclaimed Barn Wood and Chippy Porch Columns }

Regular readers know my love of all things *bee*, 🐝. . .
I’m always on the lookout for a bee skep to add to my apiary. . .
{ National Pollinator Week + Dining with Bees Tabletop Fun }

If you have a chance to shop at Gibson Mill, don’t make the mistake that I did and think that sign you
were debating about will still be waiting for you after you sleep on it. 🤦

If you’re a regular visitor, you may have noticed,
I have a ‘thing’ for watering cans,
and always keep my eye out for one to add to may collection.

Old wrought iron gates, architectural fragments or anything rusty and chippy catches my eye . . .

I’m a fan of vintage scales and have brought a couple home over the years . . .

There were numerous ones to be had there a couple of weeks ago when I visited.
{ Celebrating the Red, White and Bloom }

I love vintage black tole trays and this one was plain in the center but had a pretty painted border . . .
{ Coming Up Roses and Blooming Tole }

My inner magpie goes to shiny or the softly tarnished patina of silver . . .

And I love adding a blooming fork or spoon to my vintage garden of flatware . . .

Especially if I can pick up a pretty one for a dollar or two to mix and match!
{ Whimsical Garden Tea with the Flower Fairies }

I always stop to admire ironstone pitchers and tureens. . .


It’s fascinating to see collections of old things. . .door knobs and spigot handles. . .
fun to add curb appeal to a birdhouse!
Old yard sticks are interesting from an advertising standpoint. . . I’m not quite sure about old paintbrushes. ;)
{ How To Add Curb Appeal & Vintage Charm To A Birdhouse }

We love to look at old advertising signs. . .

My hubby has a small collection of old signs that are automotive-related so we always stop to look . . .

Pepsi-Cola . . . worth a dime – costs a nickel

Fun fact: Pepsi was first created in North Carolina. Caleb Bradham, a pharmacist in New Bern, N.C. invented the drink in the basement of his drugstore in 1893, initially calling it “Brad’s Drink”. He later renamed it Pepsi-Cola in 1898.

Don’t we all wish ice cream was a health food!

This dealer had a pretty coastal / seaside vignette in her booth . . .

I loved this distressed sage green herb cabinet . . .

Pretty cottagecore home goods . . .

And red, white and blue!

If you’re in the market for some vintage goodies and are up for a day trip,
I recommend you hop over!
Plan on a good two hours on your first visit. There is even a café if you need sustenance during your retail therapy. ;)

Hope you’re finding ways to escape the heat and stay cool where you are!

Thank you for your visit, sharing with:
Metamorphosis Monday
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I think you should put together a little meet up/retreat for out of towners, a little antique trip, and we all can go to the mall. Yes, this would be a dangerous place for me. I love the little white 2 tiered stand and would buy if you can ship to me in Houston. Loved looking around at your fave antique mall!!!!!!
PS. How do you connect your “waterfall” of watering cans on your potting shed? I would like to hang my small collection like yours!
Wow! What a wonderful way to spend a hot day. I can see how your pocketbook can suffer!
I loved virtual shopping with you this morning!! You have such an eye for the everyday item in an art form. I especially like the sprinkling cans! They are like pitchers, you can never hav enough of them! Thanks for this fun post!
What a great place! Thanks for the therapy. I felt like I had a mini trip.
I was especially taken with the “mad for plaid” ideas. I have the black skates and usually hang them with greenery and ribbon on an old sled, but…I love the addition of plaid ribbon laces and more around the cuff. A change will be underway! Here in Ohio the heat bubble is supposed to break with storms this afternoon. Hopefully relief will come your way.
Thanks for taking us along to antique. Drooling pathetically!!
Mary, that was a fun post! We have a local antique mall that we try to visit once a quarter. They are enjoyable as they are seasonally decorated. I get so many styling ideas from the vendors as well as unique items. We rarely leave without a treasure! Stay cool. The heat is still brutal here. Happy weekend. Clara ❤️
Wow Mary, that place is huge! I see why it’s a treasure trove for you! I love the the tranferware pitcher and all the ways you have used it. The plaid trimmed skates are such a clever holiday decoration!
Jenna
Thanks for the visit to the antique mall! I adore antiques so it was fun ‘shopping’ with you and seeing lots of my favorites on display. Of corse, this way saved me a lot of money. 😆
Mary, what a great place to find treats! I’m sure it’s very hard to leave with only one or two things! We have a very small store here with different booths. I can spend the day looking at everything. One man’s trash is certainly one man’s treasure!
Thanks for the tour!
I agree, Mary. The Depot at Gibson Mill is my favorite antique mall! I’ve bought quite a few things there over the years. Seeing the displays in booths is so pretty!!
Mary, I would love to visit that huge antique mall. I am afraid it would impact my wallet.When it is this hot, retail therapy is a great way to spend a day!
Happy Friday and weekend 💕
I just shouted to sweet man, “we have to go on another Road Trip!” We would love going to this Antique Mall. What beautiful treasures to be had. And you have brought home some lovely goodies! I enjoyed our stroll. Thanks so much!
Thank you for sharing your favorite spot for retail therapy, Mary. How nice that you and your hubby share the experience together and go quarterly. Happy weekend to you! ❤️
Of course I loved this walk through Gibson’s, which I have yet to get to. Our mall owners used to go there frequently on their way to and from Oak Island, where they have a second home. We always try to make seasonal-appropriate vignettes, and as you know from your retail days, it’s always well in advance of the given season or holiday. My sisters and I need a shopping trip! The oldest of our 3 Panoply sisters has had some medical setbacks, so it’s hard for her to walk and shop marathon-style like we used to. 😩We celebrate 17 years in our booth spaces mid-July!
Hi Mary ~~ I was just saying to hubby that the antique stores around here are getting like a garage sale that I need to go south or out east. The Depot looks great and only 9 hours drive :) haha. I am retiring July 1st , so I will need to put this on my list !!
Have a nice weekend !!
Paula ~~
IN
I so enjoyed this trip to your favorite antique mall, Mary! And YES, it truly is a nice reprieve from this unbearable heat.
Thank you for taking us along with you! Stay hydrated!!
I, too, love the idea of lacing an old pair of ice skates with plaid ribbon!
How fun! thank you for posting this….and you must do it again on another trip. It was such a joy to pour over every picture you snapped. The booth displays looked cared for and lovingly displayed. Wishing I was there!
Loved the trip to “your favorite antique mall!” Looks like a fabulous place for inspiration and buying. I enjoy your collections which you’ve surely added to in this glorious shopping place. Thanks for introducing your readers. I might have to make a trip!
Looking through your pictures was almost as good as an actual trip! Thanks!
OMG I don’t think you have ever taking us shopping. How fun fun fun!!! Thank you.
Oooooo, I’m going to have to make a trip there. That transferware is just gorgeous; I wouldn’t have been able to leave it behind either!