Anchoring the main thoroughfare of Tappahannock, with a fresh, engaging renovation and a delightful array of colorful and fanciful artifacts, is ACME Antiques, the brainchild of Bob and Linda Green, antique aficionados and avid collectors.
ACME Antiques opened its doors in May 2017 in the former 22,000 square-foot A to Z Antiques building following an extensive facelift. It’s hard not to notice other businesses along the route following suit with makeovers of their own.
ACME features a unique selection of antiques, memorabilia, shabby chic and vintage wares, signs and yard art, even an amusement ride or two. The store is the third antique shop venture for the Greens, whose businesses evolved from their personal passions for antiques and collectibles. Sister stores include Port Royal Trading Post in Port Royal, Va., and Glory Days Antiques in Newburg, Md. The businesses are a family affair for the Greens; their daughter Morgan Valeski and son-in-law Chris Valeski are involved as well.
Each store offers merchandise from 50 to 60 individual vendors. ACME’s spacious building accommodates 132 to 135 vendor spaces. Each vendor is responsible for his or her booth — the merchandise, styles and displays. They’re free to find their own niche — and that they do. Just about anything you can imagine can be found among the rows and rows of well-ordered booths — from the traditional to the quirky — fine furniture, silver, crystal and china, military uniforms, metal advertising signs, a gravity-fed gas pump or repurposed farm equipment.
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The family has its own spaces as well, with pieces carefully curated from picking excursions both near and far, including Missouri and Texas. Family members scour estate sales and auctions, they help liquidate personal collections, and work with clients who may be downsizing to smaller homes. “Linda has a knack for finding buried treasure,” said Chris Valeski. Morgan Valeski is a driving force when it comes to searching for artifacts, whether they’re down the street or far down the highway. Chris has a personal preference for road trips searching for “the big pick.” He added, “I like the hunt and the drive.”
So if you have a hankering for a 1920s Hoosier cabinet, a Duncan Phyfe dining table, Roseville pottery, or maybe a special statue of Bigfoot, chances are good that you’ll find your heart’s desire at ACME Antiques or one of its affiliates, Port Royal Trading Post or Glory Days Antiques.
New this spring is a slate of classes for hobbyists: grapevine wreath making; sign making; a chalk/mineral paint seminar by Gift Gallery, featuring Dixie Belle paint; distressing furniture; antique appraisal days; and more.
ACME Antiques’ hours of operation are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. For more information, call (804) 925-6471. Port Royal Trading Post is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. For more information, call (804) 742-5555. Glory Days Antiques is open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more, call (301) 259-4500.
