An eclectic antique shop will move to a new Barrow County location as the owner eyes potential expansion.
Mud Puppy Antiques will move Feb. 1 into its new downtown Auburn home next month after three years in Winder. The current location holds a special place in owner Carol McCarthy’s heart since it is her great-aunt’s
former home, however the opportunity for growth is in Auburn. The front of the new shop is the same size as her Winder business, but there is a chance to expand by 1,000 square feet and add more vendors with a building connected to the Auburn store.
"I am so happy about moving and having the opportunity to grow," McCarthy said.
McCarthy has spent 11 years in the antique business. She had booths in stores and worked at two other shops before opening her own place in 2010. Mud Puppy sells antique and vintage pieces such as furniture, home décor, iron and metal pieces and concrete statuettes.
It was by chance that McCarthy found the Auburn location. She was delivering furniture that she painted for an Auburn customer when the building caught her attention.
The building was once a home to a bank and still contains a large bank vault. Among other businesses once there have been the Old Bank Vault, which was a co-op of various items from purses to jewelry to home décor,
and The Country Store, according to Tracie Pollard, who is the Economic and Planning Development Assistant for Auburn and is also with the Downtown Development Authority.
"The building spoke to me," McCarthy said. "The historical
aspect of the building was charming. Tracie (Pollard) was so warm and welcoming to me, that’s what sold me."
She said she’s hopeful that current customers as well as
nearby residents from Dacula and others places like Braselton and Hoschton will visit the new location. Some items are already set up in the Auburn shop and a 20 percent off sale is being held at her current store until the move.
McCarthy said she welcomes other businesses to move to
Auburn, even other antique shops. The passion for her job stems from not only antiques but also vintage merchandise and the way a piece of wood can be
transformed into something else.
"I love antiques but I really love taking furniture and
painting it something different," she said.
For more information on Mud Puppy Antiques visit the Facebook page, www.mudpuppyantiques.com , or call 770-867-MUDP (6837).
The 247 N. Broad Street Store in Winder will move to its 1359 4th Ave. location in Auburn on Feb. 1.
Source: www.barrowcountynews.com