Deal hunting on the town square

Posted by Staff in Budget Thursdays, Texas

When you think of a shopping trip…cities like Paris and Rome automatically come to mind…but during my trip to Texas I found the joy of bargain shopping in a small country town.  

Seven miles from the Wildcatter Ranch sits the picturesque town of Graham, Texas.  The town is home to America’s largest town square and looks like Hill Valley in the 1950′s (the fictional town in “Back to the Future”).  Lining this square is a treasure trove of antique shops, boutiques and an adorable 1940′s art deco movie theater. 

The best place to start your bargain shopping is at Frances’ Fabric Store. Although you might not be in the market for fabric, Frances sells her handmade handiwork at phenomenal prices…pillowcases for $6 and zippered pouches made of recycled jeans for $1…she also sells handmade women’s undergarments.

Next, cruise on over to Our Neck of The Woods to find a finely edited mix of antiques and home decor.  The building is a historical landmark and served as the Young County Jail from 1878-1921…the store still has one of the original cell doors open for visitors to walk through.

For new fashion at great prices, head over to Sat ‘N Spur and Jailhouse Boutique.  Both stores carry indie designer names like Tina Turk and Ed Hardy at prices not found in big cities.

To end off your shopping trip stop at Mark’s Gallery, an antique shop that has a tearoom set in the middle of the store.  The scrumptious lunches are served on mismatched antique china, and the menu is a mix of salads and sandwiches (all on homemade breads)…but make sure to leave room for the homemade desserts.  While there, I found a fabulous 1960′s gold lame purse for only $6, along with a 1950′s tea serving set for $10.

Who would have ever thought that small town American shopping could be as enjoyable as Paris!