March 29, 2024

The magic of Pappy’s Antique Mall takes shoppers back in time

Most retail stores have a set floorplan, set aisles and a set amount of merchandise.

For Pappy’s Antique Mall, these rules do not apply.

For 22 years, Pappy’s has provided Newton with unique and vintage gift ideas. Manager Susie Jones has been working at the store for 20 of those 22 years.

The store is filled with pieces dating back to the early 1950s, with some antiques dating farther back. It is filled with everything from records to nostalgia.

Jones explained that if you see something you like here, you better get it fast — and that is true.

The amount of merchandise in Pappy’s can be overwhelming, and there are very few duplicate items. Many of their items are one-of-a-kind.

“Everybody says, ‘I’d hate to take inventory,” Jones jokingly said. “Well, I don’t take inventory. Each dealer is in charge of their own inventory. They rent spaces and we sell (their merchandise) for them.”

Most of the dealers in Pappy’s are from Jasper County, but there are a few who are not.

With the uniqueness of their inventory, the store has experienced many changes over the years, which Jones is happy about.

“There are a lot of changes, mostly going empty, “ Jones said. “I’ve worked in retail before, a long time ago and I like it here.”

Asked her favorite part of the job, she said she loves dealing with people.

“I think it’s being with people, especially with Karen, my co-worker,” Jones said. “I really love her.”

Jones said she does not have a favorite product, but noticed many of the store’s clients love to walk away with something, especially handmade items.

“Primitives are our best-seller, and shabby chic,” Jones said. “Things that were handmade long ago, like benches. They (customers) like (to place them in their gardens). Pumps are (used for outdoor decorations). You know, the red handle pumps.”

Pappy’s customer clientele is not limited to Jasper County — Jones said the store has customers coming in off Interstate 80 all the time.

“We get a lot of people that come off the interstate,” Jones said.

One of the little-known facts about Pappy’s is, although it may not look like it, the store has five levels of inventory.

“It is an optical illusion,” Jones said with a smile. “People get their directions mixed up in here (too, because) they go and they are not looking where they are going, and they just turn.”

Although it may sound like a lot of fun to work at Pappy’s, and Jones said it is, there is one downside: she often finds herself making unexpected purchases.

“I find that my house (is filled with more antiques) than it used to be,” Jones said.

Whether one is looking for a gift for Mom or Dad, or a just looking to add a personal touch to the home, Pappy’s is the place to shop.

The store is located at 103 First Ave, W., and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p..m., Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.