Kaden Carr
Tucked away by the train tracks on Maple Street, you’ll find a historic building by the name of Feathers and Twigs, an antique store that prides itself on having a little something for everyone. Founded in 2007, it has been Carrollton’s go-to for vintage decor and homemade treasures.
“I honestly don’t think a single person on this Earth could go through the whole store and not find at least one item they like,” said Molly Skinner, the store’s General Manager and Co-owner. “We have so many cool items that I can’t even think of, and we’re constantly changing.”
The sheer variety and scope of their wares is no understatement. Browsing through the building feels like entering a maze, surrounded by comforting keepsakes and heirlooms on all sides. Made up of over 50 different unique vendors, each packed to the brim, simply exploring the shop is an experience all its own. It’s labyrinthian, yet cozy all the same.
There is much to see in every nook and cranny, spanning from repurposed furniture, decorations from all corners of the world, locally produced pottery, video tapes and vintage clothes that all have their own particular story.
“It really makes me appreciate history. I wonder how many families some of our items have gone through,” Skinner says about their catalog. “I want to make sure I take good care of the stuff that I’ve collected so that I can eventually pass it on to my family in the future.”
A particular selling point is their wealth of handmade goods lovingly provided by Carrollton locals. Spread across the store, shoppers can find jams, jellies and even premium goat milk soap bars. Inventory is constantly being refreshed, restocked and updated to meet demand.
Skinner made it clear that Feathers and Twigs isn’t simply a place to shop, but somewhere to reminisce and absorb a particular welcoming atmosphere. “I love being able to talk to the people that come in. I love hearing about the stories customers have with certain items that remind them of their childhood,” Skinner says. “I love being able to move the furniture around and decorate it all pretty, and I especially love when regulars come in and notice the changes that I have made.”
Being one of the only present workers there, Skinner feels a great deal of gratification in helping to run the place. Her mother Amy has owned Feathers and Twigs for four years now, making the antique store a family business. That familial bond shines through in nearly every aspect of the location.
“I hope the store lasts for as long as that building can stand,” Skinner says. “It’s been standing since 1911, and I hope that it continues to stand for hundreds more years to come.”