“Junk is fun. Junk is history.”
This is one of the mantras of Lana Sowder, owner of the Clawfoot Tub in Bluff Dale (214 FM 2481).
The ‘antiques and boutiques’ store has been growing in recent weeks with the addition of ‘Tiny Town’- permanent on-site trailers/ campers and sheds where small businesses can sell their quality goods and antiques every weekend.
Everything is open from noon to 5 p.m. every Friday and Saturday with Sowder bringing ‘one big thing’ to every Saturday meet-up, when the hours are extended from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This includes intimate concerts in front of the ‘Enchanted Hippie’, a vintage camper restored with ‘60s aesthetics.
There are also plans for a ‘Shop Small Saturday’ event and a lit nighttime event with live music and refreshments.
Sowder said she brought in tiny town to make the experience worth the drive, and a trip offers a lot to see.
On Saturday, the brightly colored shops of tiny town included:
■ Vintage 1962- unique antiques in a converted modern trailer
■ Bumblebee Candlezoffering homemade scented candles and
Upsy Daisy Designsfloral arrangements, miniature succulent plants and more
■ Lilly B’s Boutiqueclothing, decor and more
■ Marigold Trading Company
■ Native Roots Boutique and Resale- custom t-shirts, purses, authentic Native American Jewelry and more
■ El Cactus Cooler - ice cream, fruit and hot treats. The site also has a newly renovated trailer where Miss Gigi and Miss Jessie serves up treats like fresh hot dogs, popcorn and cotton candy.
The Clawfoot Tub is located in a historic house that once belonged to the town veterinarian. Sowder and her husband lived in the home when they first moved to Bluff Dale for its quiet atmosphere. In restoring the home, they highlighted its vintage design features and even salvaged some of the original furnishings like pieces of the old rugs. (These are framed and hung on the wall.)
All of this acts as a backdrop for an eclectic collection of antiques including décor, records, collectibles and memorabilia, furniture, purses, home furnishings, toys, books and so much more.
One of the prize pieces in the store is quite the celebrity.
“Did you see Cher?” Lana asked pointing at a repurposed closet in the front room.
“I found her junking down the highway,” she recalled. “I took her paint off and said, ‘Girl, I know you.’” She found a registration mark and was able to determine the mannequin was made as a commissioned likeness of the actress/singer.
She is one of several mannequins modeling some of Lana’s clothing finds.
Sowder said she has always been a fan of history, but attributes her collection to the eponymous clawfoot tub on display under the sign outside.
Lana said she’s had the tub for 25 years. It was flipped over in the yard of a vacant house when she first saw the tub. One day, she saw a man at the house, and she walked up and asked if she could flip it over, saying she thought it was a shame it was sitting there.
The man, most likely amused at the thought of her turning over the heavy tub, said if she could flip and move it in 20 minutes, she could have it. She immediately started knocking on doors. Three neighbors and one truck later, it was moved to her porch and it’s made three moves with her since then.
Visitors can immediately see that Lana and her sellers respect and love their wares and put a lot of care into what they display. They invite everyone to come spend some time at the growing market.
For more information, find The Clawfoot Tub on Facebook or text Lana at (254) 243-0077.