Southern Junkers is a welcoming place where customers can find “a little bit of everything.” Owners Dennis and Christie Davey enjoy skillfully hunting together to find the perfect variety of antiques, trinkets and items for customers to take home and use to make everlasting memories.
The Daveys’ story began more than two decades ago. Dennis served in the military for 26 years, with Christie by his side throughout the journey. Together, they raised a family and developed a shared passion for antiques and vintage treasures. What started as a hobby soon grew into a business as the couple became regular vendors at flea markets and auctions.
As they gradually increased their earnings from flea markets, they had the opportunity to move their business into a brick-and-mortar store. They rooted their business in the heart of downtown Whitesboro.
They made connections with customers and built friendships in the community. The Daveys didn’t consider their business as work, but rather as more of a fun hobby they got to enjoy doing together as a couple while making new friends. They love hunting for antiques together, building relationships and connecting with members of the community. They say that the people are what make the place, and they enjoyed making a positive impact in people’s lives.
After years of doing business and serving the local community, they decided it was time to retire. Shortly before moving out and selling the store, Christie decided to bedazzle and bling out an antique duck. Not knowing if anyone would purchase it, the couple was pleasantly surprised to find a friendly customer fall in love with the sparkly duck and take it home.
Less than a decade into retirement, the Daveys realized that they missed the heart of their business: the people. They cherished the connections and the people that the store had brought along to them.
So they decided to bring Southern Junkers back.
While settling into their new location and preparing to reopen, a customer excitedly walked into the building. She asked if they remembered her. Moments into meeting again, the customer shared her experience of fighting encephalitis and struggling with memory loss. She said that something she never forgot was the couple who sold her the sparkly duck years ago, which helped her get through her struggles.
This story serves as a reminder of why the Daveys they love what they do. While antiques may bring people through the door, it is the relationships and memories that leave the greatest impact.
Southern Junkers recently reopened at 417 N. Union Street in Whitesboro. The store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Daveys are excited to reconnect with the community and look forward to continuing to make a positive impact, one customer at a time.