Big-time antiques

Southern Living, Feb 2003

Small-town Botkinburg, Arkansas, lays claim to one of the largest antiques warehouses in the country.

Let's face it, spotting quality antiques can be tough, especially now that there are so many sophisticated knockoffs that appear to be the real thing. But at the Antique Warehouse of Arkansas, serious shoppers can obsess for hours over 12 buildings packed with nothing but the finest in Western European antiques. Included in the merchandise are more than 5,000 stained-glass windows, the largest collection of its kind in the country.

The shop, located on US. 65 North in Botkinburg (about 1 1/2 hours north of Little Rock), sells everything from $25 Tiffany-style lamps to a $26,000 antique parlor bar.

New shipments arrive every 10 to 14 days, many of which come from the store's two warehouses in England and Belgium. Folks with an affinity for the rare and unusual, as well as more traditional antiques, can find them here.

Possibly the best way to tackle this mammoth-size market is to first get an idea of what you want. Then, ask a salesperson in which warehouse you can find it. To keep things simple, similar items are grouped and housed together.

If you've always secretly coveted your granny's grandfather clock, you can probably purchase a similar one here. They come in a variety of styles, including a French walnut grandfather clock with Westminster chime (circa 1900; $3,694) or an Irish oak grandmother clock with a single chime (circa 1890; $1,199). If something smaller suits you better, try a decorative wall or mantel clock. Some start as low as $200.

"As for stained-glass windows," says owner Don Keathley, "we're probably the largest supplier in the world." The stock includes reversepainted stained-glass windows and doors that are more than 100 years old, a novelty that's hard to find these days.

Sprinkled within the compound are antique replicas from Indonesia, Egypt, Turkey, the Philippines, and Europe. The store also sells restored merchandise. Items that must be refurbished go straight to the on-site restoration facility where workers polish, buff, and bring life back to the old beauties.

Antique Warehouse of Arkansas: located on US. 65 North at the intersection of State 110 in Botkinburg, Arkansas; (501) 745-5842 or www.antiquewarehouse.com. Note: Before heading off in a finder's frenzy, be sure to stop by the entrance and pick up a map.