Four months ago, Randi and Josh Benedick reopened the General Grant Antique Mall. In honor of the mall’s street address, they rebranded it Get Your Picks on 66, and brought back a favorite neighborhood shopping destination. The 13,000-square-foot property features 99 antique and vintage vendors and 89 booth vendors. Twenty-one of those vendors date back to the former General Grant store. “I got a hold of four or five of them and they spread the word,” says Randi.
In its new life, the Benedicks have sought to upgrade the offerings. “I wanted to get it and, I guess you could say, upgrade it a little bit,” says Randi. The mall is known for its eclectic collection of vintage and antique wares, from steampunk fashion and Mid-century Modern furniture, to vintage records, toys, food and soap products. The owners created the look of an old-fashioned general store, where there’s something for everyone. “I just love to see what comes in,” says Josh.
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At the woodshop booth, DIYers find various types of wood species for their projects. “We’re seeing a lot of the DIYers but they need the material to do the work, and you can’t just go on Amazon and buy a 36-inch piece of barn wood,” says Josh. The mall also sells Wise Owl Paint and General Finishes products to refurbish old cabinets and chairs. The under-30 set continues to discover the joys of decorating with vintage furniture, which is displayed as rooms at the front of the store. “They want more unique things,” says Randi. The mall’s family-vibe means that there’s always someone available to help customers figure out how to work their buys into a decor scheme. “There’s a lot of conversation that sparks in here,” she says.
The response so far has been overwhelmingly positive, says Josh. Later this month, the owners will introduce a series of store events, including a pet adoption day, a customer appreciation day, and a celebration of vintage day in June, complete with a vintage car show.
Where: 8400 Watson
Hours: Open Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
In the Neighborhood: “The stuff that sells the quickest is the rare stuff that walks in the door,” says co-owner Randi Benedick. “If it’s unique and rare and different, it’s going to leave as fast as it came in.”
All in the Family: “I kind of got thrown into this thinking it was going to be a hobby for my wife…And it ended up being a family business,” says co-owner Josh Benedick.
