A new treasure trove for collectors is opening in Alexandria

A new spot for collectors to find their next big score is opening in Alexandria.

Route 27 Antique Mall is gearing up to open in Alexandria’s Village Green Shopping Center. The mall is approaching 100 vendors with a capacity of close to 200. Vendors will sell antique, vintage or collectibles, including furniture, jewelry and toys.

Owners Sean Kleier and Ed Morris are former police officers turned antique enthusiasts. They worked together at the Edgewood Police Department and shared a fascination with antiques.

Kleier and Morris sold antiques at various flea markets, yard sales and by word of mouth. Both were fans of the Florence Antique Mall, which was in business from 1998 until it closed in July 2021.

“Me and Ed had been talking about a little space of our own for several years before that, and then when Florence closed down, that left really no mall in the area, and only a couple a few little shops,” Kleier said.

Morris said he has a pretty good following with people he has dealt with for years, and now many of those people are becoming our vendors in the antique mall.

“When you [Sean] would be out at the Burlington flea market, and you would run into people that you knew at Florence, everybody wanted a new antique mall,” said Patricia Kleier. “When Ed would see or when they would see people at the auctions, everybody kept talking about needing another antique mall. I mean, it was almost a need in the community.”

The store is going into the former Tuesday Morning location, between the AA Highway and U.S. 27. Kleier and Morris said the area is prime. They intend to create a destination stop for those on the hunt for their next new find.

“We’re going to support the small businesses in the area, too,” Morris said. “I’ve already talked to some of the local antique stores and told them we’re not here to hurt you. We’re only going to help each other. The more antique stores, the more people that are going to come here for all of us.”

The store has roughly 23,000 square feet of showroom. Vendors will set up booths at the mall but not run them. The antique mall’s staff will oversee helping folks through their experience there. Morris and Kleier said they have installed an elaborate camera system to ensure everyone’s items are secure.

“That’s what you get out of a couple of cops,” Kleier said.

The owners said they hope to open Route 27 Antique Mall within the next month.

“Sometimes at the antique malls, people start to sell things or try to sell things that are more like on the garage sale level,” Patricia Kleier said. “That’s what they’re trying to avoid to keep it on an upper scale.”

Those interested in becoming a vendor or working part-time at the antique mall can message the business on Facebook with their email address.