Two new businesses will soon be bringing old treasures to downtown Fulton.
The arrival of Charlotte Web's Attic and The Brick House brings the total number of shops selling antiques in the Brick District to four, including soon-to-close Cornerstone Antiques. The shop owners and local officials agree the shops will be be good for business.
"Active storefronts are a positive for the community," said Bruce Hackmann, economic development director at the Callaway Chamber of Commerce. "We think downtown Fulton and the Brick District are certainly moving in the right direction. The volume of foot traffic is only going to increase when we get the Playhouse up and running."
Renee Graham, tourism director for Callaway County, said she hopes to soon put together a guide to antique shopping in the county.
"Antiques are a good item to promote, and there are certainly people who are highly interested in antiques, so it's one more great addition to what we have to offer," she said Friday. "Any time we have something unique that has a good area of interest, it's good for all of downtown."
While downtown Fulton might not be an antiquing destination yet, it's a destination for shopping, she said.
Charlotte Web's Attic opened last week, and The Brick House (located in the former Treasure Hunt Lane building) is expected to open in November following interior renovations.
Tammy and Brian Webb, spouses and co-owners of Charlotte Web's Attic (Charlotte is Tammy's middle name), are experienced antique store owners, Brian said Friday. Before moving to Fulton a couple years ago, the pair owned an antique shop, which had to be closed when Brian's father fell ill.
"He passed away last January," he said. "He always loved sitting in the shop and talking to folks who came in, so I got to thinking about opening the store back up."
The Brick District charmed him and Tammy - and the antique stores already present were another draw, he said.
"That'll bring more people from out of town," Brian said. "It spreads the love. You can tell people if there's something someone else has that you don't."
Fran Leake, owner of The Brick House, concurred.
"In towns where the downtown is mostly antique stores, people will just go from store to store to store," she said.
Right now, Charlotte Web's Attic's stock is eclectic, from military antiques (one of Brian's favorite categories) to furniture, aprons and used appliances.
"We don't know what will go, so we've tried to do a bit of everything," he said.
Leake also hopes to do a bit of everything - including local crafts and, perhaps, locally grown produce.
"It's going to be The Brick House with the bric-a-brac," she said.
The longtime Fulton resident decided to open the store after inheriting her mother's collection of antiques and realizing she needed to downsize.
"I've been collecting stuff, too," Leake added. "I have it in my blood."
The search for the perfect building took four years, she said.
She's also looking forward to chatting with customers. Retirement gets lonely.
"I'm a social person, I like socialization and I'm a retired social worker," she said. "I know a lot of people who are retired like I am and they don't know what to do. The AARP says that one of the worst things for senior citizens is loneliness."
That's why she's planning to use the building's mezzanine as a crafting spot for older people. People can bring their own crafts, like crocheting, or help with refurbishing items for the store.
"If you want to learn how to do something, you can come and learn," she said. "It won't be paid, but you can learn and socialize with people."
She's still working out the exact details, but said she may also stock crafts done by senior citizens, who will get a percentage of the sale amount. Leake said she's excited for the venture and to be part of the downtown.
"We've got the Playhouse, we've got the Art House and now we're going to have The Brick House," she said.