Unexpected Treasures Can be Found at Sentimental Journey, a Thrifter’s Dream in Tennessee

Antique Stores in TN are usually very interesting places to visit. I like the thrill of treasure hunting and knowing that each piece truly is a one-of-a-kind. I also wish these items could speak so they would tell the stories of bygone eras that are held now in only the artifacts left behind and in the hearts of those who lived it. Sentimental Journey in downtown Johnson City is a massive merchant mall and walking in invokes nostalgia and curiosity. I stepped in to see what kind of treasures I could find and walked away impressed with the wide variety and eclectic mix.

I had heard that this place had something for everyone but still, I didn’t know exactly what to expect. I found the creaking floorboards to be an enduring representation of vintage items I would pursue that day. 

As I wandered from one booth to the next I was struck with a sense of nostalgia and local pride. One of the best parts of Johnson City is the people who call this corner of Tennessee home and it is evident in the variety of the items and the eclectic mix which represents those people. Many of the items for sale reminded me of items my mother had that was passed down from past generations or brought me right back to trips to my grandmothers farm house.

Not every booth was filled with repurposed treasures from the past, but others featured bizarre and silly items that made me laugh. I thumbed through old comic books, laughed at the pirate painting from SpongeBob Squarepants, and felt like a kid again as I picked up old toys I played with as a child. As I browsed through each booth it struck me by the massive assortment around every corner. It was like journeying from Paris to Asia, and then back to the countryside of East Tennessee. 

The music thumped over the speakers and filled the air with a certain sense of retro residence. Classic songs from the 70’s accompanied me as I explored the store and it only seemed fitting. The overall experience in the store was fun with a palpable excitement as each guest browsed the wares. I was also impressed with just how huge this store was. As I stood from the second story I looked down and was surprised at the size of the floor space and I still had a whole nother story to explore.

I can truly say that there is something for everyone at this store. I saw everything from creative homemade art to Pokemon cards. One of my favorite spots was a section of signed memorabilia from sports and music. Notably, I saw guitars signed by several big artists, shortly after just walking through a booth that was filled with vintage European goods. The variety is quite outstanding.  

Out of all the antique stores in TN, this is one of my favorites. There truly is something for everyone so even if retro treasures aren’t your favorite thing I would challenge you to give it a chance. I had a lot of fun in Sentimental Journey reliving the nostalgia of my childhood and seeing many reminders of my time at my grandmother's farm. For more information please visit the Sentimental Journey website. 

For more trips through the past, Johnson City has a very interesting history of how it became a city that ties right into how Tennessee became a state. Explore more by checking out this book on the history of Johnson City.