The Antique Market is packing up and moving.
The business is relocating because Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA plans to purchase part of the Village West Shopping Center on Washington Road and open a new store and training center.
The Antique Market is closing its doors Saturday but will reopen at the Le Pavilion Shopping Center at 106 Pleasant Home Road in early September, said Steve Fiegenbaum, the director of The Antique Market.
"I had 22 vendors here who said, 'Please take us somewhere.' I have their support," Mr. Fiegenbaum said.
On Tuesday, the exterior store sign was moved from Washington Road to the new building.
Mr. Fiegenbaum will become the new owner of the 18-year-old business. The new antique mall will occupy 10,500 square feet, smaller than its current 15,000-square-foot showroom.
"It will be a total change. I'm just really excited," Mr. Fiegenbaum said about being an owner. "Construction has started, and it's going to be a great new look. It's going to be more user-friendly and energy-efficient."
Tommy Warner of Athens, Ga., the owner of Le Pavilion Shopping Center, is making space.
"For years, I have said that it would make a perfect place for an antique market. It just so happens they were involved in the sale to Goodwill Industries. We're spending a lot of money to fix it up for them to move in and help them out. If not, they would have had to close," Mr. Warner said. "I've worked it out so I can put them all under one roof. We think it's a great complement to the shopping center. Within the next two or three months, we hope to have 30 to 35 (vendors)."
Betsy Balk, an interior design coordinator at Weinberger's Furniture Showcase in Village West, said she will miss the neighboring business. She often found antiques there to complement her clients' purchases.
"Steve has brought this place to life. I knew when this came about that he would find another way because the vendors would not let him go. We will miss it, but it's right up the street," she said.
Michelle Sconyers and her mother, Maude Storey, have been shopping at The Antique Market for at least 10 years.
"We're going to follow him no matter where he goes. I just love the merchandise he has in here. They are just so kind. It will be bigger and better," Ms. Sconyers said.
Goodwill Industries should close on its purchase of the shopping center in September. Its plans will cause four of the tenants to relocate.
Goodwill is putting in a store with a donation drive-through, a second Goodwill Job Connection location and eventually a training center. The Development Authority of Richmond County will complete paperwork next week on $22.5 million in bond financing for the project.
Reach LaTina Emerson at (706) 823-3227 or latina.emerson@augustachronicle.com.
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Why are the taxpayers the last to learn of the intended use of their funds. Why dosen't the DARC have to have a public forum on issues before they commit us as co-signers to corporations? Did our elected officials have anything to say about bond financing? Do the elected officials representing us know anything more than the name of the project - I doubt it.