Top Five Junk and Antique Shops in Central Texas

My Top Five Junk and Antique Shops post has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. 

All opinions are mine alone. #RoadTripOil #CollectiveBias

It's road trip, season, y'all! My favorite kind of road trip is the kind where I come home with a truck load full of JUNK (honestly, is there any other kind of road trip?). I often get asked my favorite junkin' and antiquing spots. I have five (give or take) in the central Texas area that I hit regularly...because they are absolutely fantastic and well-stocked. So, if you're heading southbound on 35 (just like Pat Green, wink), veer off a little before Austin and check out my favorite shops.

While there are several BIG shops that are very well known, some of the places I'm lettin' you in on today are hidden gems. I am more of a grittier junker. I do love the big ol' silos in Waco that everyone flocks to this area to see...but y'all, it's not true junk. It's new junk. And I want original beat-up, been-through-the-wringer, honest-to-goodness, 100-year-old junk-junk. And I know so many of you are like me, so buckle up, y'all...it's time for a junkin' road trip.  

Before we head out, we're going to need some junk trip essentials. The first? A friend. I love junkin' with my friend, Bethany. We have super similar styles (but not so similar that we are throwing elbows for the same pieces...a lil' something to keep in mind when selecting one's junkin' buddy). She'll also give it to me straight up...as in, "no, you do not need that". I trust her judgment and supply her with the same pertinent information on all of her selections. We agree on so much in the junkin' and antiquing world that this works out well. The only thing we've found that we, in fact, do not agree on is candle scents. But, that's an entirely different blog post. 

The second thing you need for a successful junkin' road trip is a well-running vehicle (it's been my experience that tow truck drivers do not look favorably on loading my newly acquired Queen Anne chairs and Jadeite finds into their cabs when I'm hitchin' a ride. They just don't get me.). Keeping the vehicle in check is priority number one. A larger automobile is preferred. Every time I take our smaller SUV out on my adventures, I inevitably find an enormous piece of furniture that I can't live without (these are the breaks, man). 

You're going to laugh...but, our 16-year-old (yes, SIXTEEN) SUV (pictured above) has less than 60,000 miles on it. It's still running great. We talk about getting rid of it, but it's a great car to not have to worry about. What I mean is, I can load up an antique sideboard into the back and accidentally knick the paint or ding the ceiling. If I were in our newer car, it would be a thing. In this beast, no worries. I mean, it's 16, for crying out loud. This makes it the ideal junkin' vehicle. But being an oldie means we need to keep it in tip-top shape for an all-day, on-the-road junkin' trip. 

As you can see from above, I take it to our Walmart Auto Care Center. Here I am in line for an oil change (I can leave the car in the Auto Center and head inside for road trip snacks!). I always get a good eyebrow raise when I tell the person taking my auto care order that I actually do not need the higher mileage oil, yet. But when I do, I'm going with Pennzoil® High Mileage Vehicle® to keep this beast running her best (how else will I get all of my treasures home?). Right now, I use Pennzoil Platinum®: Full Synthetic Motor Oil with PurePlus™ Technology. 

Getting your oil changed at Walmart with Pennzoil helps make those junkin' road trips a success by saving time and money (just think...more money to spend on antiques!). Pennzoil® can help clean out sludge that lesser oils may leave behind. Have the experts make your life easier...be sure to get your oil changed with Pennzoil at Walmart’s Automotive Care Center. Right now the High Mileage is on Rollback...get $4 off (more details at the end of the post)!

Now that the truck is in working order, let's hit the road. First stop? Burnet, Texas. To be clear, this is not pronounced "Burr-Net". It's more of a "Burn-it". 

#1 - FINDS! (...of all kinds) | Burnet, Texas
My entire family knows...this place is my jam. It is on Highway 281 on the outskirts of Burnet (as you head out of town on the way to Marble Falls). This happens to be the highway between my house and my parents' house, so it works out well for me. I've been coming here for years and couldn't wait to bring Bethany here on our most recent junk trip. She loved it so much that we made it both our first and last stop of the day (it was basically what we measured every other item against on our trip that day..."yes, but did you like this as much as the thing you liked at Finds?"). The place smells absolutely heavenly and is set up beautifully. Owner Cheryie and I have gotten to be buddies over my trips in and out over the years. She is very good at what she does...I've never seen a shop of this kind so well done. It's filled with the prettiest vendor booths you'll ever peruse. Cheryie is currently in the process of setting up an authentic English tea room in a section of the store. I can't wait to get my hands on some of the gifts from England she will be carrying.

This is the outside entrance to Finds! You can't miss it from the highway. 

I still have dreams about this scale that I passed up there...I truly should have bought it! 

 #2 - Roxie's Relics | Burnet, Texas

After visiting Finds, be sure to head to the town square and pop into Roxie's Relics (this is us inside Roxie's, above). Roxie's is a newer store, but definitely one to see. She has a little bit of everything...but lots of great Fire King and Jadeite for all of you dish lovers. This is also a booth store, with lots of vendors (even a cute little hallway at the back with several rooms of goodness...the room with antique aprons was ADORABLE!).

Before you leave Burnet, grab lunch in the square at the Trailblazer Grille. A word to the wise...if visiting on a Saturday, everything is packed until 2 pm when the train leaves. Once that train pulls out, a late lunch is the way to go...we had the place almost to ourselves! The food was really delicious and there is an attached tea shop and candy store. 

#3 - Paply's Gifts and Antique Mall | Killeen, Texas

Paply's is super interesting...I can spend hours in here. It's located on Highway 195 heading out of Killeen on the way to Austin. It's perfect for any budget...they have gorgeous, well-kept antiques, but also a bargain barn in the back and the biggest stash of old furniture (great for those of you who love a good refinishing project) in the way back. There's an entire booth almost filled to the brim with collectible salt and pepper shakers. I've found lots of old school classroom maps here from time to time, too. You truly never know what you'll stumble onto at Paply's...this is why I visit often (wink!). On Saturdays, they have a "Specials" flyer they hand out, if you're looking for a good deal!

#4 - Scott & White Hospice Thrift Store | Belton, Texas

I can't have a list of good junkin' spots without a thrift store thrown in, right? I love the Hospice Thrift Store in Belton. I really only shop the perimeter (the "innards" are racks of clothing). The outskirts are filled with furniture, artwork, and (my favorite), DISHES. Bethany and I affectionately call this place "The Plate Store", because it delivers in that area. It's usually just a quick stop on a full day of a junkin' road trip, but it's worth it.

The above is just one tiny section of the dishes at the Hospice Thrift Store. I find Jadeite, Fire King, and of course, my vintage church plates here all the time. I truly come here for the dishes.  

 #5 - Junque in the Trunk | Waco, Texas

This place is pure joy. It's on La Salle in Waco (surrounded by several other fun antique and junk shops). Inevitably, when people come to visit us, they like to go to the Silos in Waco. We take them there, but then we head to Junque in the Trunk (where we all buy a lot more stuff!). This place is very affordable and well-curated. It's not just old stuff, though...they redo pieces that are really fantastic. They have a good mix of old and new, overall. It's a good source for ammo containers (for decor...not actual ammo) and windmill blades (again...for decor). They also take bus loads of junkers to Round Top twice a year (which, of course, if the mothership of junkin'...down a bit more south).

OTHER PLACES TO VISIT:
While the five places above are my faves, central Texas is truly a hot spot for antique road trips. Other spots that we enjoy include Salado, as a whole. Salado is set on I-35, just north of Georgetown, south of Belton. The entire town is worth a visit for sure...loads of gorgeous shops. Spend an entire day there! 
I also love Marta's Room Antiques on Highway 439 between Killeen and Belton. Marta is one talented lady. Her store's hours are a bit limited, so I seem to miss her a lot. One thing not to miss is her bi-annual vintage show she hosts in the fall and spring. The place is PACKED with amazingness. 
And finally, a new spot to me is The Caring Place in Georgetown. It's a legitimate thrift store...and it has some truly incredible deals. Loads of lamps, decor, and more. 

Again, before you head out on your junkin' road trip, be prepared by stopping by your Walmart for an oil change. Check out the hot Pennzoil Rollback and use the store finder HERE to find an Automotive Care Center near you.

Happy junkin', y'all. Bring me back somethin' pretty, now.

Neglect your chores like me and don't miss a thing:

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