In North Texas, where I spent the latter part of my childhood - you know, the part you can actually remember - there were tons of antique stores in our little downtown square. My parents are collectors, in a small fashion, so antiquing grew on me too. Then, in 2005, I found myself in a new place without a car and a desire to hunt for treasue. I had to wait until I returned home to go antiquing. Until 2007 when I offically became a Missouri resident and had my own mode of transportation. I started asking around and googling antique stores. The first one I decided to visit was Artichoke Annie’s Antique Mall, so I paid them a visit.

Artichoke Annie’s is H-U-G-E. That is both good and bad. Good because if you are looking for something specific, you are likely to find it. Bad because you can’t just run in and out, I am always there for at least an hour. Bad because the prices match the size of the building… they, too, are big. You can find good deals, but furniture is always priced pretty high. Like that adorable teal/aqua dresser? Almost $700. For me that’s about the same as a rent payment, I don’t think I’m going to drop that kind of money on an old dresser. Even if I did pretty much fall in love with it.

Kitchen and dining items are usually a good price. I’ve gotten several Pyrex dishes there and a couple of other odds and ends. They do a great job of grouping like items together so you don’t have to search every booth for your grandmother’s prized gravy boat that your cousin stole before you had a chance to ask for it. {No, that didn’t actually happen to me, I made up the scenario.}

The people who work there are super nice and very helpful. They will hold your finds at the front of the store until you are ready to check-out and will load larger items into your car for you. They don’t allow purses into the store, but do have lockers for you to keep your things. I usually leave my purse in the car and go back out for it when I’m ready to pay.

Shopping at Artichoke Annie’s is not the same as walking my hometown square and visiting all the little shops, but it does satisfy my antique craving. As a bonus, they are open every day from 8am to 8pm so I don’t have to worry about scheduling my weekend around their hours. They do accept credit and debit cards, but some sellers are open to negotiations, so come prepared with cash to help your offer.

They are hosting a Spring Flea Market on Saturday, May 28th starting at 8am. Many outside vendors come to this market and the prices are usually better than inside the store. They will also have a concession booth with food and drinks. Make sure you have cash for this event, you pay each seller individually.

Artichoke Annie’s is located at 1781 Lindberg Dr Columbia, MO 65201-1718