For the past few months, I have been traveling to my hometown in West Virginia to visit my parents. While there, I took my mama on some thrifting adventures. Today, I am going to share with you one of my favorite thrift shops back home and the reason why I love it.
This thrift shop is so special to me because we used to live there when I was a child. I’m not really sure I remember living there, so much as, remembering it from stories and pictures. When we lived there, the bottom of the building was a store and the upper level was divided into two apartments. We lived on one side and my mom’s best friend of over 60 plus years and her family lived on the other side. There was a door between the two apartments. My mom has so many special memories from that time in her life.
When I was home last, my mom was telling me a story about when she was first married and how she didn’t know how to cook or make a single thing. One day, their Priest was at the apartment because my dad was converting to Catholicism so they could remarry in a Catholic Church. Her best friend that lived on the other side cracked the door open and slipped my mom a cup of coffee so she could offer it to the Priest. I loved hearing her tell this story.
Hometown Memories
My older brothers have more memories of our apartment. I think I was only 3 or 4 when we moved out. Like I said, I think my memories are from old pictures and stories that have been shared.
I have been back to that old building many times over the years because my mom’s best friend ended up owning the building and running the store on the main level. Once we moved, we still went to visit at the store and at her new home which was right next to the store. However, I haven’t been upstairs to the old apartments until recently. When I went home, I told mom we were going junkin’ and this was our first stop.
I had no idea the thrift store was on all three levels. I was so excited to see it. This is the first time I can honestly say I was more interested in the space itself rather than what was inside and for sale. Don’t worry, I have since gone back and done some shopping!
I loved the thought that we used to live there. It is everything that I love today. The beautiful original hardwood floors, the unique lines of the ceilings, and of course what was left of the vintage kitchen! Who knows, maybe there is where my love of all things vintage started.
I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into my life. To see more of my hometown trip check out my IGTV video.
Until Next Time,
