Antique and thrift stores are full of hidden gems. Why these 5 in DeSoto are worth visiting

It's no secret that living is expensive right now. Since the pandemic began in 2020, prices seem to be on a constant rise.

That being said, there's no better time to check out an antique shop than now. Despite price surges, they remain great places to find inexpensive jewelry, furniture, physical music and home decorations, much of which have lasted and stayed high-quality for decades. And their appeal to collectors with niche or obscure tastes remains.

It's the same for thrift stores — if you're comfortable with lightly-used clothing, it's hard to find a place with better prices.

Looking for a great deal, or expanding a collection? Here's every locally owned antique store and thrift shop in DeSoto County.

Old Towne Antiques and Upholstery

9117 Pigeon Roost Road , Olive Branch

Located in the heart of Olive Branch, Old Town Antiques and Upholstery epitomizes the classic antique store. Much of the selection consists of furniture that would still look great in a modern home — kitchen tables, glass door cabinets, wooden shelves and display cases.

Plenty of niche items fill the space as well. Decades-old coffee tins, China, jewelry, troll dolls, paintings and random knickknacks are everywhere. If you're feeling adventurous, grab an un-opened glass bottle of Coca-Cola, a doctor's scale from the 1800s, or a long metal sign that reads, "IT AIN'T FOOD IF IT AIN'T FRIED."

The funniest item I saw had to be a toy called "Uptown Bill." It features what appears to be former President Bill Clinton playing the saxophone — pressing the red button on its base plays music and gets Bill grooving to the beat.

Shack Antique Mall

7035 Depot St. , Olive Branch

When some of the first items I spotted were the exact same record player and lamp my grandmother has owned for decades, I knew I was in the right place. Though the smallest of DeSoto's antique stores, Shack Antique Mall has a great selection for collectors of all kinds.

Old lighters, watches and knives rest in a glass case. Historic newspapers hide in the back, one from 1970 heralding the struggles of Apollo 13's astronauts. There are albums, jewelry, metal lunchboxes, comic books, and most prominently, antique clocks and diecast toy cars, both of which owner Edward Callaway specializes in. Collecting has been his business for more than 40 years, but also his passion.

"It's sort of like a bad habit," Callaway said laughing. "A lot of it starts quite early in life — you find a field of things that you really like, and the more involved you get with it the more knowledgeable you get with it."

Callaway said about 30% to 40% of people who visit are collectors — the rest come in to fill a specific need.

The most interesting pieces I noticed were small, framed movie posters for "City Lights" with Charlie Chaplin, and "The Buccaneer" with Fredric March. Reproduction or not, the art style of both is appealing.

Southaven Antiques and Gifts

310 Stateline Road W est, Southaven

Easily the largest antique store in the county, Southaven Antiques and Gifts has been open by the Tennessee border on Stateline Road for more than 11 years. The space is currently shared by 24 vendors who each sell their own unique selection of items. Many sections sell specific items like glassware or old toys, while others appear to be completely random in their selection.

Co-owner Renee Cheser said different vendors come in every few days to add new items to their selection. The 8,000-square-foot building is forever jam-packed with items. "It would take you a couple days of walking through to see everything," she said.

I was particularly excited about the extensive album selection in the store — I grabbed "The Great Twenty-Eight" by Chuck Berry. Though probably not very rare, my favorite items I spotted were cardboard cutouts of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley.

Warriors Center USA Thrift Store

7142 Mississippi 305 , Olive Branch

This Olive Branch thrift joint is split into two primary sections — one for men and one for women, both with high quality clothing. There's a little bit of everything, and it's all useful — a sizable selection of men's and women's shoes, as well as furniture, books, toys, DVDs, decorations, various household items and kitchenware. Warriors Center holds weekly sales every Wednesday with 15% and 50% off discounts, depending on the item.

Among the store's few knickknacks, my favorite was a 6-inch tall miniature golf club bag. Perfect for a mini (mini) golf game.

Park Avenue Value Store

8074 U.S. 51 , Southaven

This locally owned thrift store has aisles upon aisles of resale clothes to search through. If you've been to a Goodwill, then you'll know exactly what to expect.

There are suits and dresses, casual wear, clothes for kids and hilariously strange and inappropriate T-shirts that most people wouldn't be caught dead wearing in public. But if you're looking for the widest selection of cheap clothes in the county, this is the place to be.

Other locations

There are multiple other thrift store chains in DeSoto. Here's where to find them:

Goodwill — three locations (plus five donation centers)

• 925 Main St., Southaven
• 480 E. Commerce St., Hernando
• 2670 McIngvale Road, Hernando

Once Upon A Child Southaven — 7075 Malco Blvd. #106, Southaven

Plato's Closet — 7090 Malco Blvd., Southaven

Jacob Wilt is the DeSoto County and dining reporter . He can be reached at jacob.wilt@commercialappeal.com

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Antique and thrift stores are full of hidden gems. Why these 5 in DeSoto are worth visiting