Walden owner Michael Davis with his dog Sophie, a constant presence in his used furniture and home decor store located in Daisy’s former Walden Theater, originally opened in 1933.
Photo by Emily CrismanHixson resident Michael Davis loves to see old things reused, an affinity he has incorporated at several different levels into the Walden, his used furniture shop located in the old Walden Theater in Daisy.
“I saved the building because I didn’t want it to be torn down,” he said of the old theater, which originally opened in 1933 and closed in the 1950s when a new theater was built across the street.
A full-time real estate agent with Prudential, Davis said he first envisioned the property as a loft. When he began storing his eclectic collection of antiques in the space, so many people came by to ask if the items were for sale he decided to start a used furniture business.
“I try to carry something for anybody’s taste,” he said of the Walden’s furniture selection, which consists of pieces found at estate sales and purchased from individuals as well as from Davis’ real estate connections. “I buy furniture at a reasonable price and sell it at a reasonable price.”
Customers can typically outfit a full room with furniture from the Walden at prices which are lower or comparable to what they would find at big-box discount retail stores, said Davis.
He said he personally prefers mahogany furniture, and looks for the sort of piece that seems like “something your grandmother would hand down, that has been passed along for generations.”
Opened about four years ago, Davis said the Walden was previously referred to as William Edwards Home Decor, named after he and business partner Stan Anderson’s unused first and middle names. When a recent storm blew down the sign, he said he decided to change the name back to the Walden to reflect the historical value of the building.
Davis said the theater’s stage remains in the basement of the building, which is made entirely with terra cotta tile covered in stucco. The slanted floors of the theater are still under the level flooring, and the original walls and ceiling were restained.
In addition to furniture, shoppers at the Walden will find affordable antique lamps and other home decor, such as old typewriters or candlesticks.
Open Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Walden is at 9740 Dayton Pike and can be reached at 315-3077.