Explore Mebane: Melville Trading Company

Only twenty minutes from Elon is the historic district of downtown Mebane. The main street is lined with insta-worth eats and trendy shops. It’s the perfect place for a day spent shopping or a relaxing afternoon off-campus.

My first stop was the Melville Trading Company. The building used to be an old Chevy dealership, but when the owners, Barbara and Carl Guttman, purchased the property in 2006, they had  intended to fix it up and rent out spaces. Then the recession hit in 2008, midway through their rehab process.

As two unemployed general contractors, they knew they needed to find another use for this big empty warehouse they were now sitting on. So they refined their original plan and created Melville. Currently, Melville houses 38 traders, each with their own booth, selling whatever they please. Merchandise ranges from jewelry, clothes, art, home decor, antiques and so much more.

Walking around, I couldn’t help but get lost in the wonder of each booth. I found myself browsing stacks of old records, admiring beautiful watercolor landscapes and laughing at the odds and ends (example: a vintage baby carriage) that filled the spaces.

In one booth, I came across some old magazines from the 70s and the kind of music you would expect to find in your grandma’s basement. All while, only one booth over, there were racks of jewelry and clothes worthy of Free People, but without the hefty price tag.

If you are like me, you can’t resist that rustic-chic look of every Instagrammer’s apartment or the interior design inspirations that pop up on your Pinterest feed. Melville is the perfect place to open your wallet (just a little) and achieve that cozy, at home vibe that makes you never want to leave your room.

Melville is open every day except Sunday. So if you are in need of a home makeover, or just need a shopping trip to help you destress, go wander down West Clay Street in Mebane and who knows what treasures you will find.