Rare Bird Antiques – Our Story
Rare Bird Antiques first opened its doors for the first time in 1996 under the name Rare Bird Antique Mall and we’ve been providing antiques and vintage collectibles ever since. We offer folks high-quality antique, vintage, up-cycled, re-purposed and everything collectible. We’re dedicated to having something for everyone and our staff is simply, the BEST there is!
Our History
Jon and Joan Wright opened the doors to the Rare Bird back in 1996 and ran the mall until retiring in April of 2017. Jon was a local builder, but he and Joan were avid antique collectors. Jon’s specialty was automobilia and advertising signs while Joan loved old store merchandise and these items were a large part of our offerings for years.
Since 2017
Rare Bird Antiques is currently under the ownership of Lori & Jody Hanks. The Hanks have also been collecting for years and were looking for a second act when they purchased the store. Jody is still an attorney by day – he is of counsel with Mainsail Lawyers, while Lori actively manages the store and is a dealer as well. Lori has her hand in several booths in the mall, but you’ll find she has a special affinity to ironstone, tole trays, cloisonne and, well, birds of course.
Our Values
We’re all family here at the Rare Bird – from our dealers and staff to our customers. It’s a fun and quirky place that shouldn’t be missed. We’re loved by our community, country music royalty and travelers heading north and south on I-65. People are important to us and keeping history alive is a passion.
We are a family owned and operated store and we want all who enter our doors to feel they’re being welcomed home.
The Rare Bird Team
The possibilities are endless at the Rare Bird. We have of 10,000 square feet of space filled with unique finds. Our dealers work hard to pull together treasures from all over the world and from many different centuries. We believe each piece as a story to share – a history that deserves to be preserved.
We believe the ultimate way to help our mother earth is to keep these items out of landfills and in the hands of those who respect and appreciate their intrinsic value. Whether as art, design or just because it brings a smile to your face, our hope is that our antique and vintage finds will find a spot in your heart and in your home!
Our antique and vintage collectibles have appeared in . . .
- Walk the Line
- O Brother, Where Art Thou?
- Riding in Cars With Boys
- Identicals
- Water for Elephants
- Patsy & Loretta
- ABC – Nashville
- ABC – Pickler & Ben
- CMT – Antique Reality Show
- Many music videos
Stop in to see us and find out why we’re so exceptional!