A Survey of Antique Shops and Stores in Farmville

By Semein Washington

Rotunda ReporterIn downtown Farmville, as in the center of a million cities, there are doorways of commerce and experience. The myriad of stores in Farmville and the few antique dealers in town are a missed experience in the lives of students glued to a campus bound existence. The antiques are, by themselves, a journey in purchase and décor. The proprietors are doubtlessly friendly people and willing to introduce anyone to their unique collection of pieces. The stores are no less fascinating, useful or elegant.

Among the antique stores there are such establishments as Poplar Hall Furniture, Hill's Consignment and Prince Edward Art and Antique. Poplar Hall Furniture, located on the far end of downtown, is a space completely packed with wares. They provide Amish pieces, antiques, fine accessories and furniture for those with both common and refined tastes. Though the business was first opened in 1985, the building is a converted boarding house built in 1860. The history of the building coincides with the Civil War and it was struck during that time by two cannonballs. The charm and aura of an ancient place resides there.

Hill's Consignment is a smaller business of somewhat younger age. It is placed in the center of town and opened in July 2009. They serve antiques and items such as china and clothing. Dolls and small decorative pieces lie on tables or sometimes sit in aged comforters. In the rear, lie a few rack stands of clothing. For the shopper used to browsing thrift stores, Hill's Consignment has a more compact and refined experience in the same basic tradition.

Prince Edward Art and Antique is a business both charming and inventive. The converted tin roof hardware was named after the county and put into its present order. Specializing in antiques, as the name suggests, they also deal in primitives and original art. Ranging from $3 to $3000, the door is open to both big and small time buyers.

Cooperating with Mother Nature, the use of live plants is found throughout. However, upon entering, the two most striking features are old Charlottesville court lamps, installed through the floor and rimming the hall way. Another feature is Prince Edward McGwire, the wire sculpture of a man decorated and holding a container of peppermints. He is purported to be the real boss around Prince Edward. His Atlanta-based sculptor, Noah, was sixteen at the time of his creation and came to produce corporate art for the Olympics.

Working for Prince Edward and attached to the shop are the "Ladies in Waiting," local women trying to help the establishment and community. Visitors are guided to good dining, birthday cake bakers and exam and surprise presents. Art students with projects can come for materials. An extreme case of this was a vernacular piece using an entire tobacco barn owned by Prince Edward Art and Antique. A small table is set aside especially for the work of Longwood art alumnus Katherine Antis.

Proprietor Caroline Freeman is a native of Kenbridge, Va. She boasts Prince Edward to be a fun and happy store and a supporter of the arts. She said, "Mother Nature is our best teacher and she is free." Likewise that, "Art can be free, or in a rare antique or an artist's piece." Her firm belief is that "good things don't always have price tags." She further wants Longwood to know it is appreciated in her book.

Farmville's other stores are given to a much different nature than the antiques shops. The Wicker Gallery, a charming five-month-old establishment has a large clientele in their basketry. Wicker furniture and ware can be purchased in their most tasteful forms.

The Ivy Trellis has been in existence since 1994 specializing in home décor, Vera Bradley bags, valences, and custom draperies, with the tagline "Interior Gifts and Gourmet." Owned by Rosa Mann, the business is both friendly and currently getting the jump on Christmas. For those in search of inventive furnishing or snacks to impress the casual guest, the Ivy Trellis is a major recommendation.

Penelope, directly beside Poplar Hall, is a lady's boutique with a major collection of clothing and silverware. The interior is well manicured with a light atmosphere that welcomes any prospective customer. The staff is very helpful and can guide to whatever tastes dictate the buyer. Anyone searching for casual and mature dress could wet their appetites in Penelope.

Doubtlessly familiar to Longwood is Pairets. It exclusively caters to the University students with Greek and Sorority lettering and club supplies. They are specifically licensed for Longwood University and can provide ware for the student. Clothing, including custom work, flags for the yard and garden and plaques can be found at Pairets. Open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., they are the University's general supplier.

Opened in 1982, Caryn's Bridals is a prime location for weddings and special event preparation. There is a wide selection and an overall helpful staff. The pieces are elegant and desirable in the most extravagant cases. It is to be recommended for anyone within distance of wedding or gala.

Holding categories of their own are Green Front Furniture and Amish Originals. Amish Originals is a family owned business open for the past eleven years. Their tagline is "Antiques for the future." This is a claim on the particular quality put into every piece. All furniture is custom built of solid oak and cherry wood. The pieces are mostly built by Amish artisans in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Green Front Furniture holds a category by itself for a number of reasons. The first may be that it is the largest business in downtown Farmville. The second would have to be the abundance of elegant pieces and high quality ware. Surprisingly, it was opened in 1953 as the smallest furniture business in town. The father of current owner Dick Cralle bought a section of Green Front Furniture. It was basically a process of putting furniture into an empty building. He attended Hampden-Sydney College and graduated with the idea of being a dentist.