Yellow Door Antiques and Art: A Treasure Trove of Unique Finds
Yellow Door Antiques and Art is a unique shop in Rome’s Historic River District that is sure to delight any treasure hunter. With a wide variety of quality antiques, handmade items, jewelry, pottery, paintings by local artists, and more, there is something for everyone at Yellow Door.
Whether you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind piece of furniture, vintage pieces of jewelry, or a unique gift for a special someone, you’re sure to find something at Yellow Door. The friendly and knowledgeable staff is always happy to help you find the perfect treasure, and they’re always adding new items to their inventory.
Next time you’re in Downtown Rome, or out shopping be sure to stop by Yellow Door Antiques and Art. You won’t be disappointed!
While exploring the vibrant characters that make Rome special is a constant perk of my job, this time I was particularly drawn to Yellow Door Antiques and Art. Founded by Janet Fortune, and Nedra Manners, the store has seen their dedication since June 2015. As Janet pursues new endeavors, the mantle has been passed to Nedra Manners, who is striving to steer Yellow Door toward continued success. When I met Nedra she told me the fascinating story of Yellow Door’s journey and its exciting future.
Nedra worked in mental health for over 30 years. While working in this field, she also gained experience selling antiques and estate sales. She eventually transitioned to selling antiques and doing estate sales full-time. Over time, she began to help manage several stores in downtown Rome. It was during this time, that she met Janet, and they got to know each other and became business partners.
Finding the perfect location and name is always important when starting a business. The ladies knew that the City of Rome was planning to extend the downtown shopping district to North 5th Avenue and saw this as an opportunity they needed to act on. While looking at different properties, they kept being drawn back to the property with the “yellow door.” They loved the space! It was in a perfect location and had many windows to showcase their items. As they considered different names for their shop, they kept returning to “Yellow Door.” The name was settled when a local artist, Blacktop, gave them the gift of a painted picture of the front of the shop’s yellow door. The artist’s painting became the logo and brand of the business. It’s not hard to find their shop when you drive down North 5th Ave; you look for the Yellow Door.
Inside the store, you will find a fantastic array of collectibles, antiques, and handmade and specialty items offered by many local vendors. Around every corner, you are sure to find something wonderful and unique. Each vendor has a dedicated spot or booth that they rent so they can display their items.
Yellow Door also supports local artists. Kingfisher Art Co. has now located its home to The Yellow Door and features a wonderful display of art. They will rotate local artist displays throughout the year. They have highlighted James Schroeder and Mary Emily Galysh, both local artists.
Not only does Yellow Door support local businesses and artists, it also supports local non-profits. Floyd Felines and Friends is a non-profit that is close to their hearts and they have a booth at Yellow Door where the proceeds go to help find homes for the kitties at Floyd Felines and Friends. If you are like me and don’t want to see animals not have a loving home, but are allergic to furry friends, you can help support them by shopping at the Yellow Door and making a purchase from their booth.
Yellow Door has seen several changes since opening its doors in 2015. When they started, their space was only one side of the shop. Early one morning, there was a fire in the business next to them. Yellow Door was unharmed by the fire, but unfortunately, the firefighters broke the iconic Yellow Door when they entered to ensure the fire had not spread. The Yellow Door was replaced.
While the fire was tragic, it allowed them to grow their business. The building owner divided the adjacent space between Yellow Door and their neighbor, Sassy Salvage. This provided the opportunity to expand and add new vendors and artists.
Through the years, they have had various items come through their shop. Vendors regularly bring in new things. They find some items to be more popular than others. As a result, you never really know what you may find as you browse Yellow Door’s nooks and crannies. It is an ever-growing and evolving store.
The pandemic in 2020 brought new challenges for everyone. Yellow Door met these challenges by turning to social media to keep its presence known in the community. They also took further precautions to ensure their customers felt safe inside the shop. They not only took care of their customers but their vendors as well. They supported their vendors through the shutdown and have stayed committed to the store. They also rely on each other for support and motivation.
Since Rome is a smaller town, it is the perfect place to visit and do some shopping and antiquing. Yellow Door has something for everyone. Everyone’s budget, taste, and style can be satisfied.
Yellow Door is very involved in the community. They have sponsored theater productions with RAD (River Arts District Playhouse) and are active with the Downtown Development Authority. They feel it is imperative to be a presence in the community. Being a small business, it is so essential to build relationships with other small businesses and support their success. I encourage you to stop by and visit Yellow Door. You will not be disappointed.
Their store hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. They are located at 219 North 5th Ave SW. You can find them online at www.yellowdoorantiques.com and on Facebook @Yellow Door Antiques and Art.
If you are interested in booth rental or estate sales, please stop by and meet with Nedra during their business hours.
Original Publish date 01/18/2021 Updated on 06/06/24
