By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
At the end of his teens, 2006 Sparkman High grad Kyle Gardner did something rather unusual, and that was to become self-supporting by having eight different vendor booths at various local antique/collectible outlets. Being a part of the antiquing community is all he has ever done, and he has been successful. His ‘why’ for a career choice as a young man? “Antiquing connects people as a community,” he said. In his own family, he is the keeper of the photo albums as well has his great-grandmother’s bread box, and loves all of them. Kyle owns several stores, is always looking to expand, and in January of 2026, took over the former Serendipity Antiques. The 7,000-square-foot mainstay antique store in Athens-Limestone County is located at 22335 US-72 Ste. B, between Listerhill Credit Union and SportsMed on the north side of the highway.
An extensive “refreshing and restoring” project ensued after Gathered Goods opened, and when they were ready, Kyle reached out to Athens Now to do a front cover article. Speaking for myself, I love antiques and worked in an antique store nearly 50 years ago, and Gathered Goods is just pure joy. Kyle told me, “I want people to understand that this is a family-owned store, and that’s what makes it so special. We all work together, and we are all doing what we love.”
Kyle grew up in a home that had several antiques, and always appreciated them, but it was his great-grandmother’s love for all things Victrola that first lit him up. As a kid, Kyle just about wore out Granny’s old wax records, and thinks with great fondness of the iconic RCA Victor dog alertly sitting with his head cocked and ear open to what was coming out of the “new-fangled contraption” of a century ago. “I know this sounds weird, but I love the scratchiness of the records, because they show that nothing is perfect,” Kyle said. He has plans ultimately to bring Victrolas and maybe even a Victor-dog himself into the shop to re-introduce them to the next generation.
Continuing on with the “lit up” theme, Kyle also has a great love for lighting of all kinds. Hurricane lamps and Tiffany lamp reproductions are some of his favorites, and just like Victor/Victrola, he hopes that someday Gathered Goods will be able to feature an actual Tiffany. I asked, (hopefully innocently enough) “Will it be for sale?” His wise and smiling reply was, “I tell everyone that they need to have everything in the store be for sale. Until then, we’ll be fine with high-quality lighting replications.” Kyle is also totally opposed to having people try to pawn off replicas as the original. He has put his money where his mouth is with regard to this “original-vs-replica” standard on more than one occasion, and will not hesitate to lose a sale if it means keeping his reputation and that of the store.
That being said, Kyle is deeply committed to having the store display high quality and inarguably beautiful items of all kinds from all eras, along with having them not being priced out of existence and accessibility for the average bear. “I want to empower people to be able to get beautiful stuff affordably,” he said. That is a tough balance to maintain, but Kyle and his crew are determined to do it.
Since Gathered Goods opened in January, they have added 20 vendors, and kept virtually every one of the previous vendors. “One retired, and was already on the way to retirement when we took over,” Kyle told me.
The store name reflects the store’s culture and commitment to the community. When Kyle refers to “makers,” what he means essentially is artisans. Gathered Goods is unusual in that for most antique stores, local craftspeople don’t display the things they have made themselves. Kyle does not think this is a good idea at all because human creativity transcends era, and never stops. “Twenty seven of our eighty vendors are ‘makers,’ and produce pottery, quilts, crocheted items, and more,” he said. Kyle himself has designed some T-shirts that sport a small-town Athens theme and have the courthouse on the front. Gathered Goods also features what they refer to as “sweet treats.” There is a drink and candy display at the front of the shop that features nostalgic-themed items, dry mixes, and local honey.
I asked Kyle why, when antique stores are “on nearly every street corner” should I come to Gathered Goods & Mercantile? His answer was simple: “We are a local spot for antiques and artisan creations.” Come check them out and enjoy a family as they help you “find the perfect find.”
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
