On the Road with Contributing Editor Elizabeth Young: Aunt Artie's Antique Mall New Albany, IN

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Located in a historic building in downtown New Albany, Indiana, Aunt Artie's Antique Mall provides 14,000 square feet and three floors of antiques and collectibles for locals and tourists alike.  The property was originally built in 1852 as a public hall for amusements and entertainment.  It later was used as a hospital during the Civil War.  It is also rumored to have a ghostly inhabitant or two.

 

Owner, Judy Gwinn purchased the building in 2001 and named the mall after her very own Aunt Artie.  The mall has three floors including a rough room on the third floor.  Over 40 dealers are represented as well as several consignees. 




There are over 20 locked and well lit cases for smaller items.  Aunt Artie's offers a wide variety of antiques including glassware, furniture, estate jewelry, toys, china, and holiday collectibles.  One dealer from Michigan specializes in books.  Two dealers specialize in advertising.  "Whatever you want, we are sure to have it," says Gwinn.

(Pictured above Elizabeth Young, Contributing Editor)

 

The windows facing Main St. are quite eye catching and ever changing.  The displays are redone monthly, incorporating items from different booths.  At Christmas, a huge sleigh and 3 vintage choir people from the 1930s make quite a statement and lure holiday shoppers into the mall. 

 

Sylvia Degenkolb, a local artist from nearby Louisville, KY, opened an art studio at the end of the second floor in early 2009.  She specializes in portraits and offers private lessons.  Degenkolb can be found painting in the studio several times a week or an appointment can be made to meet with her.  Her art is also available for sale. 

 

Location:  128 W. Main St., New Albany, IN  47150 

 

Phone:  (812) 945-9494

 

Hours:  Monday-Saturday 10-5, Sunday 1-5

 

Special Events:  A Christmas Open House is held in November on a Wednesday night.  Chamber music plays on the second floor and a banquet of food is provided by Gwinn and other dealers.  Customers and dealers can mingle and take advantage of holiday sales.  Other random sales are offered throughout the year.

Elizabeth Young is a wife and cat mom who spends many an hour hunting for vintage goodies at her favorite  thrift stores, antique shops and monthly flea markets!  A collector of vintage toys, holiday decor and general store items, many of the found treasures end up on display in her Victorian home.  She also looks for vintage ephemera, fun supplies and kitschy decor for her Etsy shop Grandmother's Attic !  When not doing this, she works two part time jobs, wearing different hats at each!