The Florence Antique Mall is like a warehouse filled with collectible stuff - 19th century razors, colorful Fiesta dinnerware, a saddlebag from the Civil War, imitation totem poles.
"The bulk of the items here range from 1900 to 1960. We have everything from collectibles ... to antique furniture, such as a 125-year-old bedroom set," says Jim Toner, general manager of the mall.
"Most dealers deal in a wide range of items. Some deal with (just) one. One dealer specifically (sells) antique phones," says Toner.
Whenever I need to find a meaningful gift for that person who has everything I come here. Sifting through various antiques, you can find things that are more thoughtful than the average cookie-cutter items at retail stores.
Over the years, I have purchased vintage jewelry, hard-to-find records, autographed celebrity photos and antique teacups and saucers for my own collection.
It's also a great place to visit if you're thinking of redecorating or if you want to spice up your current décor - say, with a Buffalo Bill ashtray ($36.50) or a Wizard of Oz movie poster from Belgium ($60).
Star Wars fans will enjoy the collectible games, action figures and the Boba Fett pez dispenser for $40. If science fiction isn't your thing, the mall has lots of antique furniture and furnishings throughout, including a vintage dresser with a marble top ($300) and a set of silver candlestick holders ($20).
It's the perfect place to stroll around on a lazy afternoon. On an average day the mall is relatively quiet, except for the piped-in classic rock.
Owners Coleen and Mike Detzel opened the mall in 1998. After selling antiques at shows and festivals, they decided to open a shop. With such a large amount of space to fill, they recruited local antiques dealers and formed the mall.
On Aug. 6 and 7, the mall will celebrate its seven-year anniversary. "We'll have free refreshments ... and there will be a drawing for $100 gift certificates. Individual dealers will have sales in their booths, ranging from 20 percent to 50 percent off," Toner says.
Toner is an occasional guest on the Insight Cable show "Northern Kentucky Magazine," where he displays and discusses interesting antique pieces culled from the mall's collections.
(ALEASHIA WALTON | ENQUIRER CONTRIBUTOR)
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