Amber Jordan opens the Kokomo Antique Mall June 6

What once was old is new again. That rocking chair once held a new mother as she rocked her child. That painting once adorned a wall in a home where family gathered. Those toys and books and albums once entertained and encouraged imagination.

But their stories don’t have to end. This week, a selection of those items and heirlooms will be offered a chance at a new life at the Kokomo Antique Mall. Amber Jordan will open the new business this week in downtown Kokomo, and there just may be a treasure to be found.

Jordan has long dealt with vintage items and collectibles with her husband, Todd, at Kokomo Toys and Collectibles. The antique mall just felt like a natural extension to her.

“I love antique malls,” said Jordan. “I like to shop. I like to look. It’s just something I enjoy. So, I thought, why not do one?”

With that simple idea in mind, Jordan’s vision quickly began to grow. She and Todd purchased the building at 121 W. Sycamore St. and began the process of transforming the space into something new. Work began late last year, updating the elevator and repairing the roof. From there, the interior on the first and second floors got a facelift.

And on Fri., June 6, the doors will open. Already, the Kokomo Antique Mall boasts more than 60 vendors at launch, though there are a few spaces still available. And that’s just the first two floors. Remodeling continues on the third floor, which Jordan hopes will be ready for vendors before the end of the year.

“The vendors are excited,” said Jordan, who admitted to being excited herself. “They're really looking forward to it. A lot of them are going to try to be here on opening weekend, especially on First Friday.”

The timing of the mall’s grand opening is no mistake. Jordan timed it to coincide with the Strawberry Festival, one of the community’s largest celebrations. And it takes place right in front of the store. Jordan said that some of the vendors even plan to set up tables in front of the mall to capture the downtown traffic.

Some antique stores feature true vintage pieces. Others resemble flea markets or garage sales. Jordan is firmly committed to avoiding the latter two arrangements.

“You can sell antiques,” said Jordan. “You can sell vintage items. Some people like artwork or things to decorate their home with. It's housewares, glassware, woodwork, retro items. We are a little more traditional antique mall.

“But with the coming of the next generations, you have to shift. It can't all be super-old items. We're accepting items from the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s, because that stuff is becoming vintage. We want to try to encompass that stuff, because it's supposed to be fun for all ages.”

Jordan explained that the Kokomo Antique Mall will operate like most others, with leased booth and display case options. The vendors need only set up their wares, which are itemized in the mall’s database. Jordan takes care of the rest. There is no need for vendors to regularly staff their booths.

“We share the building,” said Jordan. “We run the register and take care of cleanliness and maintenance. The vendors don't have to be here to sell their items.”

The Kokomo Antique Mall will open for business on Fri., June 6, from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. It will operate Tuesday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.