Batesville’s Burgeoning Antique District
Six Stores Just the Beginning

Bob Pest
Photos by Judy Pest

Batesville’s downtown historic district, an open-air museum of early 20th century architecture, can now also boast an emerging antique district that seems capable of rivaling the state’s finest. A fortuitous mix of established institutions and energetic newcomers has created a nucleus of six extremely diverse shops that are ready to welcome visitors from the antique enthusiast to the “junk shop junkie.” At least one additional antique store is in the works and additional compatible businesses are sure to follow. Like most thriving antique districts, Batesville can offer extraordinary variety and selection, from 17th century furniture to Depression era glass. The district’s prices are low compared to Little Rock, Hot Springs, or Memphis. The fact that five of the six current shops are located in historic buildings themselves just adds to the sense of history that flows through the entire downtown area.

MyMyra Antiques and Uniques, at 286 East Main, is one of several shops in a building with an interesting family history. Owners Myra and Chuck Jones are rightfully proud of their location, the Batesville Drug Company building, a pharmacy dating back to the late 1800’s and Chuck Jones’ grandfather, William, the first owner. MyMyra’s has occupied the historical site for the last five and a half years. The bright, impeccable space holds Victorian pieces, primitives, chandeliers, rugs, estate jewelry, and a deftly displayed wealth of other items. Like all of the stores in the antique district, MyMyra’s features a shopper friendly combination of antiques, collectibles, and new items. Myra herself is knowledgeable, cheerful, usually in the store, and glad to share the story of how a typo led to the store’s name. MyMyra’s is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and occasionally on Sunday afternoons.

Back in Time Antiques, at 217 East Main, is the anchor of the antique district. Owner Linda Jobe has been in the antique business for nearly thirty years and at the current Maxfield Building location for fifteen years. One of the oldest surviving structures in downtown, the Maxfield Building is made of hand-shaped native sandstone blocks. It was constructed in 1876 by Theodore Maxfield as a general merchandise store, a cotton buying office, and workshop/factory for building horse-drawn wagons and buggies. Jobe is only the third owner of the 10,000 square feet building. Although the exterior has been stuccoed, the restored interior, like several of the antique shops in the district, still boasts an original tin tile ceiling. The original Nut and Bolt Cabinet also remains, as well as the Maxfield safe, several large Mahogany store fixtures that are used in the existing business, and an 1800’s advertising flyer for the Whitewater Wagon that was manufactured in the building.

Linda’s extensive inventory covers two stories and ranges from museum quality pieces from the 1600’s to high end reproductions. Back in Time carries a wide range of glass, furniture, pottery, and period lighting. Linda also does estate appraisals and works with some of the appraisers from the PBS program, Antiques Roadshow. Back in Time is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, with extended holiday hours.

The Good Old Days Antique Mall at 101 E. Main is another two-story operation that occupies a 100-plus year old building. It also sports original floors and ceilings and the original elevator shaft, complete with pulleys and cables. The mall’s fifteen vendors guarantee an almost unimaginable range of truly unique items—primitive tools, coins, Depression and Carnival glass, books, toys, pottery, and plenty of “Shabby Chic.” The cozy “mall” is a record collector’s dream, as several of the vendors really know their stuff when it comes to vintage vinyl. On the side the brick building is a large Coca Cola sign with the Sprite Boy. This was the first building to feature a sign with the character, which would date the advertisement to 1942. Not surprisingly, Good Old Days has a strong collection of Coke collectibles. The Good Old Days Antique Mall is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Judith Lee’s Antiques & Collectibles, just down the street from Good Old Days at 151 W. Main, has 6,000 square feet of antiques, reproductions, and gift items. Located in another historic structure, this one a three-story Opera House built in 1880, Judith Lee’s has an impressive array of dining and bedroom sets on display, both new and antique. The original freight elevator, still in working condition, adds to the store’s feel of yesteryear. Judith Lee’s has been open about a year; store hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Spinning Wheel, next door to Judith Lee’s at 159 W. Main, is the other newcomer in the district, having moved to Batesville from Cave City about a year ago. The comfortable antique store/gift shop has a large selection of collectible cookie jars, vintage toys, Leanin’ Tree cards, Jim Shore Heartwood Creek figures, and gift items. The Spinning Wheel is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Both the Spinning Wheel and Judith Lee’s add a continental flair to the district in nice weather when they move selected pieces outside.

The Rainbow Mini-Mall Antiques & Collectibles is located just a block off of Main Street at 275 W. College. The slightly off-the beaten path location does mean plenty of free parking literally at the door. Although not an historic structure, the mall building has a definite “retro” feel. Owner Elina Bell followed her mother as proprietor of the business started in 1994. Elina is friendly, enthusiastic and never met a stranger. Her effectively displayed toys, dolls, cartoon collectibles, baseball and football cards, and comics give the space an incredibly festive feeling. But equally compelling are the vintage jewelry, pottery, and glassware. Elina works with eleven vendors who keep her well-stocked and things seem to sell quickly, so the Rainbow Mini-Mall is worth regular visits. The Rainbow Mini-Mall is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday; closed Saturday.

A visit to Batesville’s historic downtown need not stop at antiques. The Melba Theater (open weekends), Paperchase Bookstore, Batesville Area Arts Council Gallery, and Old World Lanterns by Benoit are interspersed among the antique stores. The handcrafted Benoit lanterns were recently featured in a special issue of Veranda magazine. A small Pocket Park across the street from the arts council, a joint project of the council and local master gardeners, is public space at its best—open, accessible, uplifting. Several Benoit lanterns grace the entrance to the park. A new mural is in progress next to the venerable Independence County Court House. A film crew was recently spotted in the area. Antique shops and related businesses are taking the lead in rejuvenating this historic downtown, bringing century old buildings back to life, and offering some great buys in the process. The past has seldom been this much fun.

Author Bob Pest rediscovered his enthusiasm for Gene Autry and Daffy Duck while researching this article.

Information: MyMyra Antiques and Uniques, 870-612-8777
Back in Time Antiques, 870-793-6445
Good Old Days Antique Mall, 870-612-8838
Judith Lee’s, 870-793-5999
Spinning Wheel, 870-698-9411
Rainbow Mini-Mall, 870-698-4173