GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) - On Friday, the Mississippi Antique Galleria held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Shoppe the Square portion of the mall.

Abby McLaughlin, 22, recently visited Barrel Antique Mall to look for furniture. But after trying on and considering a mink jacket, she wound up buying a lighted Coors beer sign for her apartment.

Antique stores are a treasure trove of history and culture. They are filled with artifacts from all over the world, each with its own unique story to tell.

Antique lover and collector and area businessman Bob Perani is cleaning out his unique collection during a two-day auction July 7 and 8 at the Dort Mall, 3600 S. Dort Highway.

The historic corner in the village now houses, Things Unique, 100 W. Herrick Ave., to greet antique hunters, curiosity finders and unique seekers.

The neatly arranged antique booths in Lyndsey and T.K. Adams’ second Owl’s Nest location would hardly be recognizable to customers of the former Boyles Joyland Flea Market.