Buchanan Named One of Best Antiquing Towns in U.S.
The town of Buchanan in Botetourt County may only have about 1,200 residents, but it is a big play when it comes to antiquing.
Buchanan was recently named one of the 10 Best Antiquing Towns in the U.S. by Fodor’s Travel Guides, one of the country’s most respected travel guide enterprises.
It may not come as a surprise to those who know Buchanan or frequent the charming town; Main Street is known for its Antique Alley after all. Antique Alley features six antique outlets including The Barefoot Peddler and Purgatory Emporium, both of which were mentioned in the story.
With its rich history and southern heritage, the Roanoke Region has a robust antique and salvage industry. The most prominent being the Black Dog Salvage marketplace and the national audience it reaches through the Salvage Dawgs reality TV show on HGTV. Â
Here is what Fodor’s had to say about Buchanan:
“Virginia’s Buchanan, a small town of about 1,178 people, is positioned right at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is the perfect destination for antique dealers seeking premium vintage wares. Known for its Antique Alley, Buchanan’s Main Street features six outlets overflowing with specialty items. Start at The Barefoot Peddler, a family owned and operated shop that specializes in painted furniture and wall décor. Stroll down Main Street to Antique Alley’s newest addition, Purgatory Emporium, where over 40 vendors sell antiques, collectibles, as well as jams and jellies. And be sure to make a stop in to the kitschy Buchanan Antiques on Main Street, where jukeboxes, vintage gas pumps, and bygone-era advertising call back to the good ol’ days.
Insider Tip: The Buchanan Theatre is a charming vintage movie house that has been in operation since 1919. The theater shows second-run films on a single screen and is worth a trip, if only to revisit a day when popcorn at the movies was $2 and canned soda was a buck.”