Friday Feature — Jenifer’s Antiques

This is one of a series of posts where I feature local businesses or organizations that I believe are working to better Conway, Arkansas. I wanted to sit down with each of them and hear their story.

Jessica Rutherford
Jul 28, 2017 · 4 min read

If you’ve ever been to Jenifer’s Antiques, you know you can lose a whole afternoon just wandering the shop. Each booth transports you to a different time period, a different memory. The history behind each piece is one of Jenifer’s favorite parts about owning this business; that and the people! I was able to sit down with Jenifer Hendrix, owner of Jenifer’s Antiques. This is a wrap-up of our conversation.

Me: What inspired you to open the shop?

Jenifer: My grandmother had an antique shop. My mother had an antique shop. I had always dreamed of doing that. After 14 years of teaching, it kind of got to the point of ‘it’s now or never.’ I wanted to get up and do my hobby every day.

Me: How does a vendor get placed in the shop?

Jenifer: If we have an opening, I just require that you buy and sell antiques. I do allow about 10% new merchandise that will compliment the antiques, but I really prefer it to be 100% antiques, vintage, or collectibles.

Me: What’s your favorite part of the business?

Jenifer: This sounds really stupid, but I love everything! I love where I’m located. I love Conway. I love the vendors that are here. I love my customers. I love having the restaurant next door. In fact, it’s named after my Grandmother’s farm.

Me: What do you do for fun?

Jenifer: I love to be outside. I kind of live out in the country. I’ve got chickens and I rescue labrador retrievers. I don’t have kids of my own, but I have 5 nieces and nephews that are my kids. I have 7 great-nieces and great-nephews. I spend a lot of time with them. In my younger years, I traveled around, but now I just love to be home and be with my animals and my family.

Me: What’s the most interesting piece you’ve ever sold?

Jenifer: For me personally, a couple in Morrilton moved from Delaware and I bought from them two chairs and a chest that came from the home of Caesar Rodney. He was the Governor of Delaware and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The chest was from late 1690’s and the chairs were from around 1725. I love history, just to know where those pieces were hundreds of years ago and to know that his hand touched the Declaration of Independence. Those things are really hard to find in this area. They usually have to be brought in. We’ve got the finest Southern primitives though, which is what I usually focus on, but for me that was a big deal.

Me: Why do you love being located in downtown Conway?

Jenifer: When I moved here, downtown was really on the cusp. Fifteen years has flown by, but it feels like Conway is still growing. We have a great downtown partnership. Kim Williams is one of the most hard-working, kind individuals I know. The Chamber of Commerce has always been really invested in my success and the success of my neighbors down here.

Me: Where do you see Conway headed in the next 5–10 years?

Jenifer: If they can find a solution for parking, that will only bring more people to our downtown. I’m excited to see where it goes, because as a property owner, growth is really important to me. The long and short of it is though, if they love it, they will come.

The inspiring thing about Jenifer’s shop isn’t the history or the location, it’s her passion for doing what she loves. You can see it on her face and you can hear it in her voice. For more information on the shop or to see upcoming events, you can visit their website. If you’re interested in learning more about the downtown partnership Jenifer mentioned, you can visit the Chamber’s site here. Thank you Jenifer!

Jessica Rutherford is a Conway native who uses her customer service background to provide a customized experience for each of her clients. If you are looking to buy, sell, rent, or invest in real estate, let her be your neighborhood agent. To see the difference, call today at 501.908.0037 or email jessicarutherford@kw.com.

Jessica Rutherford

Written by

Local Realtor | DIY nerd | Conway, AR

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