Victorian parlor antiques shop opens in Arts District

Source: richmondbizsense.com

TL;DR

The story at a glance

Olivia Lloyd and Kathryn Parker, former employees at Carytown’s Bygones Vintage Clothing, recently opened The Veiled Mirror as their first brick-and-mortar antiques store in Richmond’s Arts District. The shop at 209 N. Third St. specializes in Victorian-era pieces and older antiques, themed like a bright Victorian parlor. This opening follows their five years of online sales and markets, as they settle into a permanent local spot.

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Details and context

Lloyd and Parker worked over a decade at Bygones Vintage Clothing before launching The Veiled Mirror online in 2021. They traveled East Coast markets for five years, sourcing from private collectors and the public, before choosing this Arts District spot last year.

The store emphasizes items with historical stories, like Victorian mourning pieces and naturalism artifacts from the post-Industrial Revolution era. Unusual finds, such as the shock couch for rheumatism treatment or the embalming table, draw from that period's medical and death practices.

Richmond's Arts District provides a fitting home for such a niche shop, amid growing interest in experiential retail.

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Why it matters

The Veiled Mirror adds a specialized antiques venue to Richmond’s Arts District, enriching the local scene for history and decor enthusiasts. Shoppers and collectors gain access to curated East Coast-sourced Victorian items with storytelling value, plus potential events like talks and classes. Watch for expanded hours or community programming, which could build it into a bigger local hub.