Print
Real Estate - Commercial

Mother-daughter Team To Open Antique Mall On Market Street

By Cece Nunn, posted Jun 13, 2016
Jody Dorsey and her mother, Bobbie Whitley, are opening Flea Body's Antique Mall on Market Street, where their offerings will include three different kinds of furniture paint. (Photo courtesy of Flea Body's Antique Mall)
For Jody Dorsey and her mother, Bobbie Whitley, opening an antique mall on Market Street in Wilmington means reaching one of the pair's ultimate goals.

“All the steps we have taken with this business have led up to this,” Dorsey said recently as she worked on the new location for Flea Body’s, a store where shoppers can find antique and vintage furniture and décor.

Dorsey and Whitley plan to open Flea Body’s Antique Mall by July 1 at 3405-1 Market St. after leaving their store on Park Avenue, Flea Body’s Vintage & Home Décor, at the end of May.

Eight years ago, the duo started Flea Body’s in 1,000 square feet in North Kerr Industrial Park, growing the business to the point where it has more than 12,000 likes on Facebook. For the new Flea Body’s, they leased 7,300 square feet and will house offerings from 40 vendors.

“The business has grown. The need has grown. People are getting more educated about furniture,” Dorsey said, explaining that many of their shoppers are opting for used furniture rather than paying higher prices for new items.

“It has more character. It has more charm,” Dorsey said. “It’s more one-of-a-kind.”

The new antique mall also includes a paint and repair workshop where customers can bring their pieces to be worked on or painted by Dorsey or Flea Body’s employee Catherine Rhodes, or work on their treasures themselves. Flea Body’s sells three different types of furniture paint – Maison Blanche Vintage Furniture Paint, Fusion Mineral Paint and Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint.

Dorsey said the new Flea Body’s also has classroom space for furniture painting and technique classes as well as crafting classes.

Along with paint, Flea Body’s carries architectural salvage items and a large selection of replacement hardware, including vintage and antique furniture knobs and pulls.

In addition to more shoppers wanting retro items for their homes, demand has increased for vendor space as well, Dorsey said.

“They want a space where they can have a creative outlet,” Whitley explained. “It’s the thrill of the hunt, and the buying and selling is exciting.”

In its previous 3,500-square-foot store, Flea Body’s only had space to rent showcase shelves out to other sellers. The new space allows for showcases and floor spaces.

“Within 10 days of making the announcement [about the antique mall], we were full and we have a waiting list,” Dorsey said of the mall’s vendor lineup.

Story On The Map

Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Pfinder john zachary

What You Need to Know About SECURE 2.0 and Its Effect on Individual Retirement Accounts

John B Zachary - Pathfinder Wealth Consulting
Chris coudriet

A Public Service Profile on Creating Beauty in Our Community

Chris Coudriet - New Hanover County Government
Tommytaylor ceo unitedway

How Philanthropy Fits Into Your Financial Plan

Tommy Taylor - United Way

Trending News

Conservation Group Signs $8M Deal To Buy The Point On Topsail Island

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

National Organization Bestows Top Award On Cape Fear Professional Women In Building

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

Engineering Firm Hires Four Employees

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

N.C. Ports Officials React To Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

NCino's Fourth-quarter Earnings Signal Rebound From Liquidity Crisis

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 27, 2024

In The Current Issue

Q&A: Andrews Reflects On Leadership

Pender County Manager David Andrews is slated to retire this summer after 33 years in local government....


MADE: Polyhose Inc.

Polyhose manufactures and fabricates hose protection, paint hose assemblies and rubber hydraulic assemblies from its Pender County facility....


Topsail-area Realtors Share Updates

Pender County Realtors recently shared updates about the coastal market at an event hosted by the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Associa...

Book On Business

The 2024 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.

Order Your Copy Today!


Galleries

Videos

2023 Power Breakfast: Major Developments