Today we’d like to introduce you to Michele Rodgers.
Michele, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
When I was ten, someone gave me the book “Little House on the Prairie” by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I devoured it and all the others she had written about her life as a pioneer in the 19th century. I was enthralled. I wanted to ride in a covered wagon, cook over a fire in the hearth, and live in a time before cars and planes. Yes, it was naïve, and at 10, I ignored all the ugly parts of the past, but what those books did was make me realize that old things have a story to tell.
My passion for history has never waned. Following college, I was lucky enough to be hired by the Bartow History Museum in my hometown of Cartersville, Georgia. As one of two employees for a brand new museum, it was my job to make connections with locals and secure items for display in the museum. Every day was an adventure and pure joy! I talked with numerous elders in the community, heard wonderful stories about the area’s past, and was invited into historic homes where generous locals shared their knowledge and their artifacts.
Over the years, we built the Bartow History Museum (BHM) into a first-rate museum with meaningful exhibits, an excellent educational outreach, and an important place in the community. After 20 years there, most of those as the museum’s director, I retired from full-time work to begin a new chapter in my life.
With a middle-school-age daughter and a 90-year old mother-in-law with dementia, working part-time from home was essential. Fortunately, I became the Administrative Director of the Georgia Association of Museums, an organization I had been part of during my museum days. The GAM is a museum association that supports museums, galleries, and cultural institutions throughout the state, and I enjoy being able to continue working with my wonderful museum colleagues.
After leaving the BHM, I realized I missed the artifacts, and since I had always been a collector of old things, it made sense to begin selling them. I now have an eclectic collection of vintage items for sale in three locations, but my dream is to one day have a shop of my own. One of the pluses to carrying wares in three different stores is that I can reach many more prospective customers, and the owners and fellow vendors in each of the stores have become very special to me. These kindred spirits encourage me and inspire me every day.
Two of the stores where I sell my treasures are set up in an “antique mall” style, with various booths rented by individuals, so each one is filled with a variety of wares from different eras and themes. One of these shops, The Market, is located in Acworth, Georgia, and I love how the designers there put together displays that feature vintage items mixed with new so customers can see how to incorporate vintage pieces into their own homes. Another shop I’m in, Marietta Antique Mall, not only features a huge selection of vintage items but has an in-house lamp repair shop and the owner can create custom pieces using items shoppers bring to him! The third shop where I sell my wares is unlike the other two, and it is where I spend most of my time each week.
The Local Exchange is located on the Marietta square and is a modern-day general store owned by my friend Marion Savic. Her vision for the shop is amazing! Since 2013 TLE has provided goods from grass-fed meats to grits to locally made jewelry and pottery. The goal is to offer local and regional products and to support recycling and repurposing – which is where the vintage items come in. Customer response to the shop has been amazing, and we work hard to make the shop a special place where both locals and tourists feel at home. I feel fortunate to be able to continue working at jobs that bring me joy and also support things I feel passionate about – history, museums, artisans, and shopping local. It has been a rewarding journey, and my friends and family have been supportive the entire time, which means everything to me!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When the Bartow History Museum was started, we were faced with an empty building and no historical collection of artifacts. As a brand new entity, people were hesitant to hand over their treasured family heirlooms to newcomers to the field. We had to build relationships and gain the trust of potential donors to have items to display. I found that being honest, knowing the history of the community, learning the best museum practices, and taking the time to listen to potential donors paved the way to establishing the impressive collection the museum has today. I often encountered sexism, not just in the museum world, but in the community as a whole. I stood up to it where I could and feel that women still have to fight sexism daily. As the mother of a daughter, I hope that these struggles have helped me raise a daughter who is independent and will be able to succeed on her own merits. I also encountered sexual harassment during my career and hate that it is something that women still have to deal with.
Please tell us about your business.
Lily & Luna Antiques features an eclectic collection of vintage and found items that speak to me. I wish I could say I specialize in a certain “look,” but I love all things old, so I continue to buy what I like and hope others like it too! As someone who loves to travel and has a soft spot for Italy and France, I do feel that I am especially drawn toward items with a European feel. Anything with Italian gilt, French pottery, Belgian lace-they all speak to me. I try to offer reasonably priced wares that can give a home a touch of warmth and history. Old books, oil paintings, and willow baskets are some of the most popular items that I carry. I enjoy knowing that these “orphaned” objects that I’ve found will live on, enriching the lives of others.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
When I began my museum career, the Georgia Association of Museums was invaluable. Those early mentors were David Dundee, Ed and Jane Powers Weldon, and Linda Orr King. I learned quickly that museum folks are a special breed and share freely whatever knowledge they have to give. Ed and Jane Powers Weldon became my “museum parents,” offering advice, guiding me, and driving me along the back roads of Georgia. Dr. Alice Taylor-Colbert allowed me to audit museum related classes at Shorter College in Rome, Georgia and provided sound advice whenever I asked.
When the Bartow History Museum first began, community members were hesitant to trust a new institution with their family heirlooms. Early on, historian and quilter Martha Mulinix became one of our biggest and most ardent supporters, and as a result, locals began to trust us with their treasures. Martha became a dear friend, and one I miss daily. She was generous, exacting, and direct, and I strive to be more like her. My dear sweet husband, Karl Wagner, has been my biggest supporter, barely complaining when my “treasures” take over half the garage and more!
Contact Info:
- Address: The Local Exchange, 130 S. Park Square, Marietta, GA 30060
Marietta Antique Mall, 1427 Roswell Road, Marietta, GA 30062
The Market, 5500 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth, GA 30102 - Phone: 7708537539
- Email: mlr595@comcast.net
- Instagram: #lilyandlunaantiques
- Facebook: @lilyandlunaantiques
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