A woman’s love of antiques enticed her to enter into a business venture in downtown Picayune.
Shades of the Past is a business owned by Debra Smith. Before purchasing the store from the previous owners about two months ago, she worked in the medical field in doctor’s offices and pharmacies.
Her lifelong interest in antiques turned into a business venture while attempting to market the Picayune area. While speaking with the previous owners, she learned they were looking to sell the business and she bought it eight weeks ago.
Smith and her husband are from Harvey La. They moved to the Picayune area just after Hurricane Katrina. Prior to the storm making landfall, she and her husband were in the process of building a log cabin home in Pearl River County.
Throughout the 6,700 square foot store, Smith has been organizing the items into categories. From toys, antique railroad lanterns to shackles, everything is put into a specific area of the store. In one room she plans to showcase Coca Cola memorabilia.
Most of the stock came with the purchase of the business, but Smith said she is slowly adding some items from her personal collection.
“There is a little bit of everything in here for everybody,” Smith said.
One of the things she enjoys most about owning the business is the people she meets; many of whom often teach her new things about the items on the shelves.
She devised the name of the business from an old Victorian brass lamp she bought at an estate sale, which is emblazoned on her business cards.
The business is located at 304 West Canal Street and is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Staff can be reached by calling 769-242-2331.