BY STEPHEN H. COWLES/CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Playback58@gmail.com

 

NEWSOMS—Becky and Butch Worrell recently opened Trinkets and Treasures Antiques and Old General Store in Newsoms at 29171 S. Main St. across from the post office.

A strong interest in antiques and collectibles has led a mostly retired teacher and her husband to capitalize on that passion.

One room includes memorabilia from Coca-Cola and Planters Peanut. Another area features dressers and solid walnut bed sets. There are Victorian, primitive and good used modern furniture.

Glassware ranges in styles from carnival and Depression-era to cut crystal and pressed glass.

“I love antiques,” said Becky Worrell, 63, as she points to Theodore Haviland Limoge china. “Learning about them has been an education in itself.”

Over the years, she has collected antiques. Realizing her home was becoming cluttered, an empty space that became the shop was available for storage.

“Do you want to sell this,” friends would ask. An attachment made Becky reluctant.

Butch Worrell, 68, enthusiastically urged her to forget the sentiment and start selling.

In addition to practicing law at one time, Butch Worrell has sales experience. His grandfather and uncle ran stores in town.

“I had no intention of retiring,” said Becky Worrell, a former reading specialist at Carrsville Elementary School. She took a retirement package that included three years of insurance in exchange for filling in from time to time.

“I get to see colleagues and the children,” said Becky.

The couple hopes to expand into another room, but there’s no set time for it.

The two seek out items through estate sales, the Internet and The Tidewater News. Friends also will let them know of something that might be of interest.

Becky said she’s also looking to appeal to diverse tastes with Asian-themed or black American art.

Layaways are available.

The store is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 1 to 7 p.m. Thursday; and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, with other times by appointment.

Contact the Worrells at 641-7989, 654-9574 or email beckyworrell@hotmail.com.