Arizona Travels
by Barb Stillman, Publisher
On a beautiful spring day, I headed to Camp Verde in Central Arizona’s lush Verde Valley to have some fun shopping and exploring. I planned to visit four shops but you never know what interesting detours I might find along the way.
Verde Valley Resale & Music Store
My first stop was on Main Street in Historic Camp Verde at Verde Valley Resale & Music Store. The building is in a shopping mall and the large sign out front made it easy to find. Owner Joe Nask welcomed me and took me on a tour of the store. He told me that this location had been home to the Fairway Grocery Store years ago, which explained the high ceilings and wide aisles. Joe bought the former Matthew Resale store in March 2016 and six months ago expanded into the space next door and added a music section. Joe said he was excited to have the additional space plus he was happy to have additional display windows.
In the front of the store are seasonal displays and it was filled with spring décor and outdoor patio furniture. Three times a year this area is cleared out and they host an Art Show so local artisans can showcase their talents. The next Art Show will be in May.
Joe told me, “When we open the door at 10 a.m., we never know what will happen. Each day is exciting.”
There is an eclectic feel to the mall with each space different from the next with over a hundred dealers and consignors offering a diverse inventory of merchandise. The selection includes large furniture, vintage appliances, artwork, home décor, kitchenware, toys, new and gently used children and adult clothing, books, tools—and the list goes on. There are locally made jars of honey, jams and sauces as well as soaps and lotions.. Delivery service is offered for a small fee plus layaway is available.
Of course, I had to buy a few treasures to take home. I found two adorable duck watering cans for my young grandchildren and a decorative box for my granddaughter who is graduating from Junior High.
Seven staffers help Joe in the shop—Sue, Lela, Sylvia, Deb, Amy, Julie and Dion. They provide a friendly caring atmosphere for their customers plus community support is important and they sponsor or participate in local events throughout the year.
An interesting activity at the store are Zumba classes. Every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 5 to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10 a.m. classes are available to anyone that wants to join. The price of $2 per class makes them even more inviting.
Verde Valley Resale & Music Store is located at 348 Main Street, Suite 13, Camp Verde. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for major holidays. For more information, go to https://verdevalleyresale.com/, Like Verde Valley resale on Facebook, email verdevalleyresale@gmail.com or call 928-300-5055.
After a quick and delicious lunch at Udderly Delightful as recommended, I headed to Cowboy Corner.
Cowboy Corner
Cowboy Corner has three locations in Arizona and each one is different. The original store in Prescott is a Saddle & Tack store and the stores in Phoenix and Camp Verde are a combination of Saddle & Tack and Antiques. The Camp Verde store is run by Jim LaCount, also known as Trader Jim, who gave me a tour of the huge property that covers a city block! The inside facilities are made up of six rooms from three properties plus there are five separate outdoor buildings. Originally it was all a Chevron station, a restaurant and a bar.
Trader Jim has been in the Antique business for over 20 years and has owned three antique stores in Prescott over the years. Cowboy Corner owner Doug Merwin asked Jim to manage the store six months ago and, together with his assistant, James Payne, the two have been busy bringing order to the large area that is filled with an abundance of antiques, vintage items and memorabilia.
Jim said he enjoys seeing former long-time customers who come into Cowboy Corner, a shopper-friendly destination where folks can come and experience the history of the shop and its merchandise. The buildings are on the trail that General Crook traveled many years ago and from the back of the shop there is a view of the old Indian pueblos on the Buttes. It’s a beautiful view!
Cowboy Corner has much to offer with the Saddle & Tack shop showcasing beautiful handmade leather wares, spurs and saddles. Customers will appreciate the affordable pricing and find most anything they can imagine.
Jim is fond of saying, “Ask me what we don’t have and we probably do have it.” And that could include: Victorian hanging lamps, vintage signage, Coca-Cola memorabilia, quality artwork, a room full of cast iron, antique farm & ranch tools, iron, wagon wheels, bottles, vintage auto parts, gasoline pumps and antique carriage, wagons and much more! The store also accepts consignment of quality antiques.
With so much knowledge of antiques and the area, spending time with Trader Jim is a wonderful learning experience and you can tell he truly enjoys helping customers and sharing the history of antiques and the area. Jim told me he plans to be around for a long time working at the shop and says, “I am in the saddle for the last ride,”
Located at 573 S. Main Street, Cowboy Corner – Camp Verde is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, go to http://www.cowboycorner-az.com or call 928-567-6699.
Ruby Road Resale Mall
My next stop was Ruby Road Resale Mall that is easy to find and lots of parking. The front porch and yard area are filled with patio furniture, rustic yard art, large signage, old appliances and a Junker’s treasure trove preparing visitors for the delights that await beyond.
Owner Pamela Brignell and store manager Sandee Hedgcock welcomed me. Having been “junking” her entire adult life and a dealer in Phoenix, Pamela was ready for a move. Her love for Camp Verde and its then lack of “cool junking” malls persuaded her to open her own store in 2005. Sandee has been at the mall for 12 years and Pamela says she is the absolute go-to person at Ruby Road, her special nickname is “The Glue”.
Pamela showed me around the dealer areas in the front of the building and then let me explore before joined her in the back warehouse area. The 8,000 sq. ft mall has more than sixty vendor spaces in a unique mix of individual spaces, themed co-mingled spaces and a huge warehouse space for furniture.
Pamela explained, “The co-mingled areas allow our vendors to spread throughout the store to maximize their earning potential and it brings a tremendous amount of variety for our customers. Ruby Road has several spaces available and we’re always on the lookout for talented vendors.”
Although there was much to see, the mall has a homelike feel and the beautiful and welcoming displays are amazing. There’s an exciting mix of estate treasures, trendy home goods, up-cycled, repurposed and loved again furniture and much more! Shoppers will find paints, Howard Products, local honey, candles and goat soap.
“Because of the tremendous size of our furniture area, we sell a ton of furniture. Our customers come from all over Central and Northern Arizona for the huge selection. We offer a variety of vintage and antique furniture, repurposed and painted treasures plus useful well-made pieces. Our unique booths are the icing on the cake, chocked full of decorating ideas, décor items, everyday household items, and gently used clothing to name a few,” Pamela said.
In the large warehouse area, I saw what Pamela meant. It was filled with mostly large furniture pieces all organized and ready for a new home. End and side tables of varying size and style were carefully stacked. Dressers, kitchen tables, bookshelves and chairs filled up most of the back half of the mall. It was a DIY treasure trove!
Ruby Road Resale Mall is located at 851 E. Howards Road (Hwy 260). Daily hours are10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Learn more at www.rubyroadreasle.com, on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest, email shoprubyroad@gmail.com or call 928-567-5759,
It was getting late and I had one more stop so I collected two treasures I’d found, thanked Pamela and Sandee and headed out.
Sweet Pea Antiques
My last stop was at Sweet Pea Antiques. Owner Wynne Melton has brought together a wonderful group of unique collectors and artists so there are more than 40 vendors providing “over 5,000 square feet of pure fun!”
The front porch area is very inviting with pots for planting mixed with outdoor patio furniture and garden items. Once inside, I found many great rooms and spaces to explore. It was near closing time, so I will have to plan a trip back to spend more time here.
I purchased a poster art and frame that I had remembered seeing from my last visit along with a Berenstain Bears book that I know my granddaughter will love to read. It’s always fun to pick up a book or two at a reasonable price when I’m out.
Sweet Peas Antiques is located right on Highway 260, the mall is easy to find and is open Monday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To learn more about their eclectic collections, go to: www.sweetpeaantiquesaz.com, follow the shop on Facebook and Instagram or call 928-567-6555.
Camp Verde is a favorite destination and I had so much fun meeting the shop owners! It’s a small a friendly town with many sights to see and activities to enjoy in addition to checking out the shops. I encourage you to visit and spend some time exploring. The shop owners and staffs are always happy to recommend a local restaurant or attractions, so please ask! This might just become one of your favorite stops on I-17. Be sure to tell them The Antique Register sent you!