November 1, 2024
Unlike your usual shopping excursion to the mall, browsing for antiques is as much about the hunt as it is about what you’ll uncover. And the beauty is often in discovering just the thing — an Art Deco jewelry box, a vintage hat, a miniature figurine — that you never knew you needed but that brings you joy. In Cabarrus County, begin your quest for hidden gems at these six antique stores.
Start your search in Mount Pleasant.
Cline’s Country Antiques
For more than 30 years, rummagers have traveled to Cline’s Country Antiques to roam the acres of farmland covered with wares of all kinds: old gas station signs; garden equipment like planters and iron arbors; porcelain and embossed-tin advertising signage; wooden doors and stained glass windows. And furniture! Cline’s is one of the largest dealers of antique and collectible furniture in North Carolina. You can scour entire buildings and barns filled with solid wood Victorian pieces, Cottage-style furniture and so many more unique statement pieces for your home.
Fun fact: Cline’s Antiques has provided props for several major films, and the Grammy-nominated Americana band The Avett Brothers — from right here in Cabarrus County — filmed a music video at Cline’s.
Ruffin’s Roost
When it comes to antiquing, there are those who prefer to rummage and those who prefer a more curated experience. For the latter, there’s Ruffin’s Roost. The shop specializes in furniture and accessories for the urban farmhouse and Cottage-style aesthetic. Think white-washed bureaus, wooden kitchen tables painted in hues of cream, chaise lounges with striped fabric in grey and dove tones.
Additionally, Ruffin’s Roost stocks the coveted Magnolia Pearl brand, a Texas-based clothing line of billowy vintage-inspired dresses, jackets, tops, vests and overalls — all of which would fit right into a bucolic backdrop of rolling grasslands and fields of wildflowers.
White Owl Antiques & Collectibles
Sprawling across 100,000 square feet and hosting 500 antiques vendors, White Owl Antiques & Collectibles easily offers something for everyone. Mid-century modern furniture? Check. Autographed baseballs? Yep. Brightly painted dollhouses and delicate miniatures? Sure thing. Vintage toys, comic book collectibles, classic housewares, old school appliances, fine china, glassware, designer clothing — it’s all here. Keep an eye out, too, for handmade soaps, artist-crafted ceramics and high-end rugs.
Spend Saturday browsing Kannapolis.
Marketplace on Main
This vintage mall spans 40,000 square feet and two levels inside its central location on South Main Street in the heart of downtown. With more than 200 vendors, Marketplace on Main keeps antique lovers returning to shop everything from local pottery and handmade quilts to vintage barware and so much more. Shoppers will also find items that share local history including racing memorabilia that features legendary Kannapolis native, Dale Earnhardt.
The downtown district of Kannapolis is home to several local boutiques and specialty shops. Before or after your antique shopping adventure, take time to explore the West Avenue District and beyond to take in all the history, meals, snacks, sips, and fun this area has to offer.
Continue pickin’ in Concord.
Georgie Jane’s Antiques & Gifts
Pickers will be pleased to know they can find all the usual suspects at the multi-vendor mall Georgie Jane’s Antiques & Gifts, such as antique furniture, vintage dish and glassware and kitschy art. But Georgie Jane’s also offers a nice selection of quality jewelry and second-hand clothing, from high-end brands to funky one-offs. Make time to comb through the vendor booths selling seasonal and holiday items, outdoor décor and even live plants, flowers and succulents.
The Depot at Gibson Mill
Dubbed “the largest antique mall in the South,” The Depot at Gibson Mill boasts more than 750 vendor booths throughout an astonishingly large 88,000 square feet. This pretty much guarantees you’ll find what you’re looking for — and likely plenty of goodies that you weren’t. Each booth offers a unique selection of one-of-a-kind finds like shabby chic home décor, gently used modern furniture, collectibles, rare antiques, vintage farm equipment and more. The good news is that no matter when you visit, or how many times, you’re sure to find something different as new items arrive every day.
The Depot at Gibson Mill makes it easy for shoppers to stay all day with their on-site restaurant, The Depot Deli. Make a pit stop in the Cotton Room to fuel up with a drink and a hearty sandwich.
Plan Your Stay
Order our free Destination Guide for ideas on where to eat and where to stay during your Cabarrus County antiquing getaway.
