Albemarle Tradewinds Flashback: You’ll Know It When You See It - Janet's Flea Market in South Mills

The chances of seeing it just went up dramatically.  Janet Ainge has collected time in a bottle (so to speak) in her business at 201 Main St. in South Mills, and the four buildings on the property.  As I rummaged through the thousands of collectibles, I was taken back to days of future passed.  Childhood memories rushed to me at the sight of the 5 cent Coke bottle.  The Topps baseball cards took me to my Little League days in the 1950’s.  I had forgotten all about the hurricane lamps on the living room mantle.  They lighted our house for days after Hazel struck the Virginia and North Carolina coast.  What most amazed me about Janet’s Crafts and Flowers Flea Market was the sheer volume of nostalgic items from porcelain dolls to antique jewelry.  Barbie, Disney, Cabbage Patch, Elvis, Harley Davidson , Michael Jordan, and John Deere were all there to greet me.  Mother played the piano; mostly on Saturday night when my cousins, aunts, and uncles would visit.  Janet has the old sheet music for the Wurlitzer mama played.  I chose to wander on my own at first. Both men’s and women’s clothes were hanging and piled on tables. Crocheted Afghans and quilts of many colors filled more tables.  The collection of different NFL jerseys, and biker shirts, and NASCAR  ball caps  caught my interest.  Then I saw the most beautiful figurines.  A Native American Chief , on the shelf, right beside a China Doll.  Time to call-over Janet…I had questions.  She explained that  so many  people have so many different travel experiences, and their family heritage is so varied that anyone is liable to find something they  feel is close to them.  So true.  Her collection of knives is varied and always functional.  I found one from my Cub Scout days.  For the music lover, there are CD’s galore, VHS and DVD movies along with Video and X-Box games to choose from.  I do not particularly think someone is eccentric because they collect unique stuff.  But I used to think I was a pack rat…never throw anything away, because when you do you need it about a week later.  Well, Janet is not the ultimate pack rat, she is just someone who realized that there is value in memories, and some old things still serve a purpose.  Janet  also creates silk flower arrangements for all occasions.  Share the time together with your family and visit this most remarkable collage and tapestry of antique and useable personal and household wares.  That cast iron skillet can sure cook a tasty fried chicken.  Phone 252/771-5214, (cell) 252/339-1545. Located at the foot of the bridge in South Mills. 

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