The property owner of a North Main Street building plans to open a different version of what used to be the Roswell Antiques Mall.
Paula Schurle has moved to Roswell from Garberville, California, to run Stardust Antiques, Arts and Artifacts at 208 N. Main St.
Elena Ornelas, the owner of the Roswell Antiques Mall operation for about 10 years and the former tenant of the North Main Street building, closed the business in June.
“Many people were sad to see her go,” said Schurle. “I’m sad to see her go.”
Schurle has decided to run a similar business, renting out booths to merchants, artisans and crafts sellers.
“We will have more than antiques,” she said. “The booths can have rocks, paintings, collectibles, all sorts of things. … I want to get a lot of different things for everybody to be interested in.”
Schurle has owned the building for about six years, having originally purchased it with a partner after visiting the area as a tourist, she said. She intends for her family in California to join her in Roswell once the business is established.
Schurle said that five people have indicated their intent to open booths and she is looking for as many as 53 more. She also will run her own booth, selling some antiques, collector spoons and UFO T-shirts.
The indoor market is expected to open Aug. 1. Schurle said that current plans are for the business to operate Tuesday through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
MainStreet Roswell Executive Director Kathy Lay said her organization is pleased that the building will be open for several reasons, including that foot traffic and customers increase in the downtown area when more stores are occupied.
“We are very excited about having new businesses in the corridor,” she said. “Whenever you have vacant buildings, it makes it look unkempt and unwanted. We absolutely want to encourage downtown businesses to open.”
Chaves County property records indicate that the building totals 26,696 square feet. It used to be the home of the Kress “five and dime” store.
Senior Writer Lisa Dunlap can be reached at 575-622-7710, ext. 310, or at reporter02@rdrnews.com.
