Camden store has everything from antiques to dog treats
Story and photo By Jennifer Archibald Carroll County Comet

Ronald King welcomes customers to his store, Camden Emporium

There's a store in Camden that sells a little bit of everything.

Camden Emporium features antiques and collectibles, but also carries artwork, hardware, dry goods, bird feed, and dog treats.

"We have thousands of items," said store owner Ronald King. "We have quite a bit of stuff for a small town."

He first looked at the downtown Camden building as a warehouse before deciding to open a store.

"I've been collecting stuff for 30 years," King said. Some of his personal collections have been artwork, St. Clair paperweights, and Greentown glass. Those items can now be found in his shop.

Art for sale includes oils, prints, chalk and watercolor.

"Some of the paintings are by the Wagon Train Art Association," King said.

Other people have booths in the antique shop. King said there are 28 occupied booths now, and he plans to add 13 more when he remodels.

Among the vintage items available throughout the store are furniture, radios, political buttons, milk bottles, toys, and 2000 comic books.

"What we have now in the way of hardware are nuts, bolts, screws, plumbing parts - things for home repair work," King said. "We're constantly adding hardware inventory, and will add even more after our expansion."

His business has two large rooms now, and he plans to add another 1,000 sq. ft. of floor space, along with bookshelves. He said he will add a loft in one room and a balcony in another. The remodeling will include adding an office and more space for sewing notions. Fabric is available for purchase now.

King says if shoppers don't see what they're looking for, they should ask. He has additional antiques and collectibles in the basement and in two warehouses. He said if he doesn't have an item, he probably knows someone who does.

Merchandise in the store varies, and so does the cost.

King said item prices range from 40 cents up to $1,000.

"I want this place to be kind of like an old general store," King said. "That's why I have those three seats up front." He said friends and neighbors come in just to talk.

King used to live in the Indianapolis/ Lebanon area. He came to Camden on Friday nights to work for Don Hickman at the Camden Auction Barn.

"I fell in love with this little community," he said. "I like the laid back, relaxed atmosphere."

So he moved to Camden and opened a business.

The store is open seven days a week - 10 to 6 Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 on Sunday.

You'll know you're in the right place if you hear the cowbell ring when you open the door.