Welcome to another Vintage Hot Spot! We are so excited to be sharing with you a tour of Sweet Things Vintage Antique Mall filled to the brim with vintage goodies and authentic antiques. Please help me welcome Becky Sweet, owner of Sweet Things Vintage.

Front of the store showing one of our local historic homes across the street. We are in a historic area of Texarkana, AR
When did you open? Is there a story about why you opened?
I am Becky Sweet. I started business in January of 2005 and quickly directed my focus on Vintage Costume Jewelry. In my former career I was a stock broker and financial advisor and worked teaching State Employees how to invest for retirement. It never would have occurred to me then that antiques can be a nice investment...but, now I wouldn't invest in much else! I moved back to my home town of Texarkana in August of 2006 when my daughter started college, to be closer to my parents who had just retired from the electronics business after 40 years. The building we are in was their store.
We have 6000 square foot, most of which is showrooms.
Mom got interested in my Jewelry business after I moved back and started helping me almost daily. She especially enjoyed our road trips when we would go hunting for new stock. May 8th of 2008, we opened Sweet Things Vintage in the old store building as an antique mall...Mom was tired of retirement! After we'd been open a year, Dad retired a second time...he had been a full time volunteer at a local homeless shelter after deciding that retirement wasn't much fun sitting on the couch! And, since then he has joined Mom & I and has become our "picker" going to estate and garage sales, auctions and responding to newspaper ads. He is still learning, but brings in some wonderful things for us to sell. One of the best things for me about the store is spending time doing something fun with my parents...and keeping them active and interested!
Just as you come in the door...and yes, the Barber Chair is the same model as that recently seen on Pawn Stars complete with the head rest that they had to pay $1000 to replace! This one is beautifully restored.
A booth belonging to our elegant glass specialist. She has a wonderful selection of Cambridge and Heisey. She also has an online store on Cyberattic called Glass Amigos.
What is your shop address?
We are located at the corner of East 7th and Pecan at 620 E. 7th St in Texarkana, AR...in the old Tape Village building for the locals.
Vendor booth filled with advertising collectibles. This Vendor is a collector and knows his stuff!
What are your hours?
We are open 4 days a week from 10-5 Wednesday through Saturday. Our online stores are, of course, open 7 days a week and 24 hours a day for your shopping pleasure!

This vendor is in her 70's and has been doing this for a very long time, so has a great eye!
Top End Vintage Costume Jewelry
What are some of your favorite items?
My personal favorites are the jewelry and the Duck Decoys...isn't that a strange mix? I also love the vintage glassware and cookie jars.
A collection of duck decoys. My Dad has been a member of Ducks Unlimited for more than 35 years and won many awards for his work for the Ducks.
What is it that you love about vintage & antiques?
The BEST thing about vintage and antiques is when they connect you to your past. Things like Grandmother used to have are just special. Those things take us out of our too stressed lives and take us back to when a hot cookie was the best thing on earth. And, sparkly things make me happy. A strand of beautiful crystals on a rainy winter day can just bring a little sunshine in when winter has overstayed it's welcome.
Second photo is a booth with high end collectibles that can be seen in our other Ebay Store Sweet Things Vintage
Is shopping indie and small businesses important to you? If so, why?
The nice thing about vintage and antique from my standpoint is that it can't be done in a Big Box store. It's always going to be a Mom & Pop...and those type stores are a dying breed. Soon, we'll be the only ones left. There is something very special about walking into a store and knowing the faces and knowing that they will know your name. You get a sense of a place where you know you will have respect and appreciation and not be just another faceless wallet.

Above; Our furniture showroom, but the glass on the table is part of a new acquisition of a collection of 45 pieces of American Brilliant Cut Glass.

Fourth is the Perennial Favorite White Wicker that we try our best to keep in stock whenever we can find it.
We have tons of Art! From vintage prints and Ducks Unlimited to LeRoy Neiman and Bev Doolittle!
Anything else you would like to add?
Maybe a financial tip for the young. :) Buy vintage! Not only is it likely to be less expensive, but it will usually be better quality and it will appreciate in value...so, shop those antique malls for your home furnishings and decor items. You'll love the unique beauty of your home when you do...and be building a portfolio of investments!
A special thank you to Becky Sweet for giving us a tour into your wonderful store. Visit Sweet Things Vintage online too!