In the market for a midcentury-modern sofa? A jade coffee mug? A Waterford chandelier?
How about a giant Falkor head used as a prop in the 1984 fantasy film “The NeverEnding Story”?
From furniture to kitchenware to home decor, Chattanooga-area antique stores may have just what you need — though it’s safe to say The Refindery on McCallie has cornered the market on 6-foot “luckdragons” locally.
Because of its size and novelty, it’s not for sale, but employee Marcella Rea says customers are often enchanted by the furry white figure they discover floating over shelving. “They ask about bringing their dogs in” for selfies with the magical movie creature, she says.
While big-box stores and other mainstream retailers offer the latest mass-produced goods, some customers prefer the harder-to-come-by, throwback inventory that is an antique store’s stock in trade. Keep in mind, though, that “antique” may be a bit of a misnomer. While some merchants may strictly carry items of a certain age, many of these marketplaces are not just a nod to nostalgia but an ode to eclecticism. There may be a Howdy Doody lunchbox in one vendor’s booth, a Star Wars toy in the next. Vintage Christmas ornaments down this aisle, TikTok-trending freeze-dried candy down another.