Antique Mall Near Me

Posted on 07/01/201907/01/2019 by Kim@CoziNest

I guess I should have titled this, Antique Mall Near Me and Dear to My Heart”. Do you love to go antiquing? Or are you a minimalist that doesn’t shop much at all? Dear friend, I have always loved antique malls, but this one is most dear to my heart and not just because I rent a booth there. Here are 6 reasons you should visit our local antique mall, Southern Antiques & Accents. And if you are thinking of starting an antique business this is the place to be! (You may have to get on a waiting list, but it’s worth the wait!

Looking for an antique mall near you? Here’s the one I recommend in Fairhope, AL.

1) Our Antique Mall Ladies-Night

First of all, I love walking into Southern Antiques & Accents on Ladies Night. It’s a jolly site, maybe something similar to Christmas morning with a 3 year old. Musicians are busy setting up instruments, preparing to entertain our loyal and new customers. Our staff sets up hors d’oeuvres, beverage tables, and we all do what I call fluffing our booths. It’s like company is coming for Christmas dinner and we want all the pillows plumped, decor dusted and front door sparkling clean. The food fills the mall with the smell of homemade goodies and like a trimmed tree that fills the hall, there are presents all over the floor.

2) Friendliness

People show up for ladies night with their friends and relatives. They look for a unique piece to mark off their wish list or to give to Aunt Jennifer on her birthday. Others shop to get a head start on Christmas shopping. And one of my personal favorites, they come for a little retail therapy. It’s a time to themselves. Time to recharge and refill their idea books for projects or decor or gift-giving. Some show up just to feel energized and part of the community. Regardless of why they come, they are all welcome. It’s a monthly celebration like Christmas is a yearly reminder of love, sacrifice and gift-giving. Our friendliness shows up best on ladies night, when we have a mini-reunion with all our loved ones.

3) Customers

So, I know this is gonna sound all commercial and maybe a bit mushy, but hear me out. We love our customers. We do! From the minute you open the sparkling clean door to the minute you exit, you are somebody special. And it’s not only… (I admit we love it when you buy something) … but, we love hearing that little bell jingle.

Looking up from whatever we are doing to see you, get to know you and learn your name is what keeps us going. It’s why we keep going to estate sales and auctions. We love helping you find just the right treasure. We enjoy the interaction of chatting about the newest flowers in Fairhope or how little Johnny made the All-Star team. Shopping local is something all merchants love. Not only because it affects the bottom line, but because it preserves relationships. It’s a face-to-face shopping experience. We work to preserve what I like to call, “the antiques of brick and mortar.”

4) Staff of the Antique Mall Near Me

Another thing I love about our staff is that they all operate a booth within the mall. They have something at stake, just like all the other dealers. They interact with other dealers and help however they can. Mostly because they are just good people, but also because they desire success for all of us. It’s a win-win when we all support each other and wish each other success. There has been no petty competitiveness that I’ve seen. We happily refer folks to other booths with happy customers as the main goal.

5) Dealers

We like each other in our not-so-little antique mall. We love seeing each other on Ladies Night and catching up on each other’s lives, seeing what is in each other’s booths, sharing what’s selling and what’s not. Of course, it’s an added bonus that our staff and our customers treat us like friends. Furthermore, we receive emails from Memorie sharing what is needed and tips on success.

Recently I was working in my booth and stopped to fan myself on a hot summer day. A staff member happen to walk by and asked, “Do you want me to turn the air down a bit?” What? You’ll spend money on my comfort?

Then I went shopping at a local mall and walked into a store that was sweltering! As I checked out, I felt so sorry for the cashier, who had beads of perspiration dotting her forehead. I asked, “I guess the air is not working, huh? I know you have to be so hot.” Her reply, “Yea, no matter how much we complain, it’s a corporate policy to keep the thermostat on a certain number.” It made me question whether I would continue shopping at a place where they care so little for their employees.

6) My Story

Last but not least, I began my antique business because I love decor. I love the thought that I am helping someone make their house a home. It does my heart good to know that a customer immediately thought of a loved one when they walked into my booth. I enjoy imagining an aunt or uncle, daughter or son opening a gift that their relative found in my booth. It’s a pleasure to provide treasures that make a total stranger smile and say thank you. It’s a bonus that I work with others who have the same passion that I do.

Above all, I encourage you to shop at Southern Antiques & Accents on Greeno Road in Fairhope, AL. And for your added pleasure…. we are a chain! There’s another location in downtown Fairhope on Section Street. (My booth is on Greeno Rd.) Hehehehe! Seriously, shop both stores and do it often! We love seeing you.

CoziNest Antiques and Decor – We are Moving!

Posted on 02/01/201903/13/2019 by Kim@CoziNest

CoziNest Antiques and Decor has Moved

It is a bittersweet time at CoziNest Antiques and Decor. We are closing the “proverbial” doors to our booth at Daphne Antique Galleria. I’m sad to be leaving all the great people at the place I’ve lovingly called “DAG” for the last 3 years. I’ve had great times, made great friends and met so many wonderful customers. But, it is time to consolidate to one location instead of two, so I’m happy to announce my one and only shop. Please visit me at:

Southern Antiques & Accents

Booth #115

254 Greeno Road

Fairhope, AL 36532

Our next Ladies Night Out, will be Tuesday March 19, 2019 from 6 – 8 pm. I hope you can stop by for a fun night with door prizes and a 10% discount throughout the mall.

Just so you know what you’ve missed at previous Ladies Nights:

One month in the Heart for Dixie booth, I served biscuits and gravy with sweet tea, y’all.

Last month in my new location, I served peach cobbler with whipped cream.

For March, how about mini cheesecakes with cherry topping? This will be delicious with a glass of wine while you shop!

Send me an email if you plan to visit soon and I’ll let them know how special you are! New friends who comment below or send an email will get 10% off any purchase over $100.

I will always cherish my days in Daphne. I’ve had great fun writing about the fabulous finds in this mall. You can read about them below. I encourage all my readers to stop by regularly. You will never be disappointed.

Don’t Forget the New Location!

CoziNest Antiques and Decor

Please stop by Booth #115 and say hello!

Antiques and Collectibles – The Ultimate Guide

Posted on 01/08/201901/20/2019 by Kim@CoziNest

Antiques and Collectibles, What are They?

Just like a bride on her wedding day, our collectibles are either something old, something new, something borrowed or something blue? A bride chooses these items carefully, so they are cherished forever as part of one of the best days of her life. And so it is with our antiques and collectibles, like crystal champagne flutes or blue shoes.

An antique is any item having value because of its design or historical significance. At one time these keepsakes were at least 100 years old, but some now describe these objects as anything old. A true antique is over 100 years old. Anything “younger” is described at vintage.

A collectable is any object deemed worthy of being acquired by many. Some items appreciate in value over time, while others may be cherished due to their scarcity or even oddity. And there may be some who admire a token simply because it’s the right shade of blue.

Collectors of Every Age

As I began research into this article about antiques and collectibles , I assumed that children were the reason collections started in the first place. But after being led to A Cultural History of the Baseball Card, I realized I was wrong. According to the writer of this article, adults began collecting celebrity cards in packs of cigarettes long before little Johnny had to have the rookie card of Babe Ruth.

As a young girl, my neighbor encouraged my interest in salt and pepper shakers. I was not even a cook yet, but I fell in love with the little ceramic mimics of cats, dogs, butterflies, houses, and cartoon characters. From the age of about 10 or so, my little collection sat on my yellow chest of drawers in my butterfly-decorated bedroom. Not one of them contained any salt or pepper.

Today, I am much relieved that my interests have become a bit more sophisticated. However, I wish I’d saved just one set of my salt and pepper shakers. Simply for the memory, which leads me to the reasons why we collect.

4 Reasons Why We Collect

Why does an item gain importance to a collector in the first place? I suggest 4 reasons.

You either want to put some fun into functional; like ceramic salt and pepper shaker,
It is a piece of memorabilia that we want to invest in due to its value, as with baseball cards…
It is an heirloom, handed down through an inheritance. Grandma’s china may not have survived over 100 years, but you were lucky enough to have one of her clocks of the same pattern bequeathed to you. And finally,
It is just something you love! Like comic books or record albums.

Knowledge is King

So how do you know if your comic books are valuable? How much should you pay for a matching tea set of Grandma’s clock? The answer is research. There are websites such as Replacements, Ltd, Comic Book Price Guide and just about any other collectable you could be interested in. If there is a specialty shop in your town, go early and go often. Ask another collector a question and you might make a new lifelong friend. We all love to talk about our collections, which increases our knowledge as we learn from each other.

How to Improve Your Collection

The first thing I’m going to suggest is something you might hate. Sign up for emails. What better way to stay in the know of what’s available than to subscribe to different blogs, antique stores, gift shops and sports teams? You can always unsubscribe if you don’t find the information you need.

Shop regularly was also mentioned under Knowledge is King because it is doubly important. Not only does going often educate you, it also gives you the best shot of getting something as soon as it comes in.

Finally, make friends with shop owners as well as other collectors. If they know you are a serious collector, dealers will keep you posted about their inventory.

Your Path to Success as a Collector

According to how serious a collector you are, travel may be involved. Another reason to collect frequent flyer miles, if you ask me! Attend auctions, estate sales and even yard sales. If it is something that is just now coming into vogue, shop after Christmas sales, going out of business sales and log in often to Ebay and Etsy.

Most importantly, do not pass any antique malls! Shopping online may be easy, but someone has already juried a collection for you in an antique shop. You can hold the memorabilia in your hands and check for defects in person. Local businesses will learn to love you because you help keep them alive in their little corner of the world. It is a Win/Win. While you are there browsing for your favorite antiques and collectibles, you just might find the perfect shadow box, bookcase or locker for storing your new find.