During the holiday season, I love discovering unique finds by exploring and shopping at local…read moreantique and gift shops. Today, while I was headed to one in particular, I drove by Willow Tree Antiques & Primatives, located off Buck Mountain Road, in Roanoke, Virginia. And on my way back I couldn't help but to make a stop there.
After being awarded the Yelp NC Triad Squad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, celebrating their contributions and accomplishments throughout the year, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and businesses, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Willow Tree Antiques & Primatives, in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example.
Inside the establishment I was able to meet the owner of this family-owned and operated business. Robin Barker is a friendly, elegant, and hospitable lady, who explained how she started the business in 2015, and now the two floor building, 20,000 square foot building, haa around 100 vendor booths, offering a diverse selection of antiques, collectibles, primitives, vintage furniture, unique jewelry, rustic home decor, and hand-made items, just to name a few.
As I walked through the establishment, I noticed the many unique one-of-a-kind quality items in very good condition. They were well organized in nice clean vendor booths spaces. Right now many of the items had to to with Christmas and the Holiday Season, but I was told the vendors rotate their seasonal pieces throughout the year and keep their other pieces year round.
I only had an opportunity to visit the first floor because they closed at 5:00pm. But I observed many of the items very closely, and purchased a souvenir greeting card with a photograph of the Roanoke Star. This gave me the idea of marketing some of my photographs in this way, and I would use this as a sample of how I can make them and the wording to put on them.
After I paid for the greeting card, that by the way all of the items sold here were reasonably priced, I made plans for returning another day to view the items on the second floor. I could either park in the parking lot of this floor and walk the stairs to the second floor, or park in the parking lot of the second floor and be right there. I would highly recommend you too visit this establishment when you have time. At least the many items there will be a treat to your eyes. And who knows, maybe you'll end up coming out with something meaningful to you.
