Main Street Antiques on Saginaw Street is home to more than 40 vendors selling an unusual mix of items, from antique furniture, retro décor and vintage clothing to fine glassware, museum quality art, and early American and Native American items. But the store also has rather “spirited” history, according to Lynn Hay, who co-owns the store with her husband, Mark. The couple had so many ghostly events there that they decided to reach out to paranormal investigators. Their ghost story was featured in a book, Haunted Travels of Michigan, Volume II and on the SyFy Channel’s “Paranormal Witness,” in an episode called “Lady on the Stairs.” The show depicts the haunting the Hays experienced and the bizarre historical evidence they uncovered.
Ghosts are also known to visit Arcade Antiques Mall located in Battle Alley. “You get this weird feeling that you’re not by yourself,” says Pat Kinney, the proprietor since 1990. The unique 19th-century setting is a fitting showcase for a variety of antiques from 27 dealers, including vintage clothing and various styles of furniture from mid-century to Victorian to primitives, according to Pat. Also on display are vintage vinyl records and a lot of vintage costume jewelry. “Older collectibles have made a comeback,” says Pat. Especially popular are shaving and barbershop items.
The Cottage on S. Saginaw Street is another store where the past meets the present, and recently opened on Main Street is The Shops at 101, a vendor marketplace specializing in rustic, rescued, restored, reclaimed and up-cycled furniture and home décor items.
Yes, Downtown Holly offers an abundance of unique shopping experiences, but watch out … you may see a ghost! ♦
Photography by Mike Naddeo
