JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
Vintage Rose Antiques, situated on top of Whitwell Mountain on 740 Fish Branch Road, is a small antique facility rooted within the Whitwell community, housing a large variety of vintage wares and charm.
Beginning in 2024 as a set of antique booths hosted across various events, Vintage Rose Antiques grew into what owner Aimee Long describes as a hidden gem on top of Whitwell Mountain, where guests can not only visit and explore the main cabin’s vintage items, but also gather around the table within the businesses’ newly established tea room. Drawn to the world of antiques by her grandmother Ethel Long, who has since passed away, Aimee explained upon starting the business she wanted to create a unique establishment in which differs from other antique stores, creating not only an antique shop but also a place where experiences and memories are made by those who visit it.
“When I officially decided I wanted to open the cottage to people, I knew that I wanted it to be a place that wasn’t just an average place you came to,” said Aimee. “I wanted it to be an experience.”
Vintage Rose Antiques is divided by two cottages; the first and original cottage houses the main antique shop, and the second houses the new tea room. The tea room, initially planned as a storage cottage for the main shop, features an interior decorated with antique silverware, pottery, and decorations that welcomes guests to a relaxing atmosphere. The main cottage houses the Vintage Rose store, where an assortment of books, dishes, tea cups, and all the way to vintage luggage are showcased and for sale for those interested in purchasing a new item for their home. Long explained each item in both facilities were bought with the intention of authenticity, striving to house antiques unique in design and style.
“I try to be intentional on everything that I buy,” said Aimee. “I want it to look pretty, but also don’t it want to where it’s like a lot of junk. I want to be like where ‘you know, this may remind somebody of something.’ So I’m real big on something meaning something.”
This year, Long has hosted Christmas at the Cottage, a holiday themed event where the tea room is decorated with Christmas décor, creating a festive and cozy atmosphere for those visiting the facility. Currently, Long, alongside her husband Chris, are looking ahead to bringing Vintage Rose Antiques on the road via a mobile store converted from a 1972 model vintage camper. Beginning in 2026, the Longs are eager to take the business to different markets across the entire region, spreading the word and showcasing their products to visitors across different vintage markets.
“We’re going to try to do at least eight markets through the year, probably some in the spring and a couple in the summer, fall, and around Christmas,” said Aimee.