By Marla Ballard, Reporter
bamabell62@gmail.com
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Barn Yard Antiques is just what it sounds like, it is a barn where shoppers will find antiques and other time-honored treasures. The barn is located within a mile’s distance of the Dogtown crossroads and the business has been in operation for over 30 years.
Vintage pickers, Cindy and Terry McNew started the business under a big oak tree in her mother’s yard in conjunction with the World’s Longest Yard Sale. “This is the 35th anniversary of the longest yard sale,” said Cindy. “We have been a part of the yard sale every year except for one year when we were traveling.” Traveling is just one of the methods the McNew’s use to procure treasures. Cindy and Terry also go to Estate Sales, Goodwill, yard sales, and thrift stores hunting for out-of-the-ordinary items. Some of the items they sell are handmade items Terry builds.
After a brief time under the oak tree the McNew’s built their home on the longest yard sale route and they also built a tiny cabin to house their finds. Over time they outgrew the cabin and so the barn became the new home for items from yesteryear.
Although the barn was built only seven years ago, customers often guess its age to be closer to 50 or more years. Terry purposefully used reclaimed lumber and tin to give the barn its aged appearance. Cindy decorated the barn with some of their picker’s finds and three lush bottle gourd plants give the barn additional downhome charm.
The story about how the couple acquired the land on the longest yard sale route is unique also. “My parents owned 40 acres here on Lookout Mountain and there were five of us children, so to be fair about dividing up the land daddy came up with a plan,” said Cindy. “He mapped out the property onto a piece of paper and then he cut out the various plots and placed them in a hat and we all took turns drawing one. Our piece is about eight-acres with a two-acre pond.”
The Barn Yard offers such things as; mule haines, vintage windows, mirrors, and furnishings from Poland, Italy, Hawaii, and Germany. Terry’s talent of making one-of-a-kind tables earn second glances and keep customers coming back. Black walnut mantles, reclaimed lumber, coal scuttle, lamps, and old tin gas cans are common items visitors will find.
Music lovers will enjoy looking through the vinyl record collection of such greats as; The Carpenters, Herman’s Hermits, Dave & Sugar, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Commodores, The Temptations, Sonny & Cher, Ronnie Milsap, Glen Campbell, Dean Martin, and many more.
Patrons never know if they’ll find an old tractor part that Cindy has turned into a candle holder or a vintage candelabra, a school desk from the 70s or a poster from the 60s. “We like to see old things that are given new life,” said Cindy. Shopping is by appointment only. Call 256-997-3030.
