Great Shopping in Historic Downtown Loudon

If you’ve not shopped in Loudon, Tenn., lately, you’re missing out. Things are popping around Loudon, and its all around the square as well as up and down Mulberry, Wharf and Grove streets. Loudon has several unique antiques and gift shops. The first you’ll want to stop at as you travel north on Highway 11 (Mulberry Street as you get into Loudon) will be The General Store, located at 411 Mulberry St. Get ready for some serious picking among three stories of unique treasures from antique, vintage, primitive along with gardening items, old store signs, unique tools, kitchenware, pottery, baskets, linens, and very good antique furniture pieces. Valerie Rogers has been in the antique business for over 20 years, and she has a keen eye for the unique and good quality finds. She’d love for you to visit and shop with her, and once inside of The General Store, you’ll make it a regular on your travels through Loudon.

Just around the corner, you will enjoy browsing in Shoppes On the Square located at 612 Grove St. This shop has a lot of vintage, repurposed and repainted furniture, home décor, accessories and florals. There’s close to 50 small shoppes within this store, with vendors who keep them staged where shopping is accessible and fun to shop. I’m always amazed at how many times, I’ve watched as vendors would be putting new items on their shelves, only to find when they turned around, someone was taking them to the counter to pay. Sarah and all the staff at Shoppes On the Square invite you to check them out for great ideas for gifts that will be perfect for Valentines.

Amongst several other shops with furniture, gifts, home décor, apparel and great eateries to enjoy, there’s two more antique shops that have visitors making special trips to Loudon. You’ll find that Past Tymes Antiques at 306 Wharf Street and Past Tymes at 314 Grove Street bring folks in looking for fine antique furniture and authentic primitives. Owners Wayne and Susan Flynn have retired from the Knoxville area, and they went full time into picking and selling antiques. They have been collecting primitives for many years, as it is what they enjoy in their own home. They are both very knowledgeable in the antique business, and they look for rare and original pieces at historic homes and older home estate sales across the South and Northeast. Their quilts and linens complement the fine selections from the early 1800s and even a few from the late 1700s. Folks who are restoring older homes find some of their best selections in Past Tymes and Past Tymes on Grove Street. In fact, if you’re an avid antique treasures hunter, you might just find your best picking in Historic Downtown Loudon.

While in Loudon, take a break at Annabelle’s Emporium, where you can have lunch in Ann’s café; the food is fresh made and delicious. It’s a great place to have a cup of tea in the winter and enjoy browsing for fine jewelry and wonderful gifts. I know you’ll find this historic town a treasure that you’ll want to tell your friends to visit.

By Maxine Jones, Ocoee, Tennessee