Howdy, folks, and welcome back to HHR! Today, we’re stopping somewhere I haven’t been in quite a while: an antique store! The last time we visited one was the Alvin Antique Center, formerly a Bottom Dollar Discount Store. I haven’t been doing too much antiquing since then. I still pick up retail nick-nacks at thrift stores, where I see them occasionally. However, I haven’t been able to find too much. So, when I visited this antique store, I decided to check it out. My original purpose for this trip was to check out a Burger House location, and I first learned about the antique center when I pulled into the parking lot. Shooting photos of what was essentially a giant sign for the UHaul Dealer, which has largely taken over this strip center, took only a few minutes, and I had ample time to browse the Spring Antique Mall. There’s some more commentary after the break, but for a moment pause and enjoy this “Spring Break” outing!
The shopping center is quite interesting to me. It was partly developed with Lexford Realty, a company that seems to have only existed during the 80s. Their downfall seems to have been some poor purchases after their initial strip centers failed to pan out. Of the four related strip centers I know of, this one has lost the most retail space. From the Spring Antique Mall, left is all UHaul. To the mall’s right are maybe 10-15 spaces spread among two buildings; many sit vacant. As far as I can tell, the only reason why UHaul never took over the antique mall was that UHaul was there second. The Antique Mall came in around 1991, and from what I can tell may have been the space’s original use. U-Haul, on the other hand, came in in 1994. The antique mall is likely not in danger of closing, and another is nearby, and they both likely pull traffic from nearby Old Town Spring. If you’re in the area, I’d recommend stopping by; this seems to be a pretty unpicked spot!
The Antique Mall in Alvin closed recently. 😕
Neat finds! I’m sure that Exxon sign was tempting!