M.A. Pace Store -The Vintage Traveler’s Time Warp Shop

3/29/2012 - GOOD NEWS! Fuzzie Lizzie, the Vintage Traveler, reports "M.A. Pace’s Store in Saluda, NC, Still Open and Still Worth the Trip"

9/18/2011 UPDATE: Alas, according to Lizzie Mr.  Robert Pace, the owner and son of the founder of the store, passed away last fall.  She reports, "For a while the store was closed, but it has now reopened under new owners. They plan to “modernize without going too far.” - just know this if you're making a trip out there, and our condolences to the Pace family for their loss.

I became a fan of Fuzzy Lizzie the Vintage Traveler when she was sweet enough to allow me to share her write-up of The Pink Motel with my Retro Roadmap Readers.

So it is with great delight that I share another one of her vintage place finds, M.A. Pace's Store in Saluda, NC. She calls it a Time Warp store, and I know exactly what she means. Thanks for the find Lizzie, and for allowing me to put your info on the Retro Roadmap!

Time Warp Store - M.A. Pace's Store in Saluda, NC
Lizzie writes:

If you have been reading The Vintage Traveler for a while, you already know that I love what I call time-warp stores.  These are like little pieces of the past that have somehow survived.  Unfortunately, they are getting harder and harder to find. Lots of times, the owners are getting up in years, and when they retire, that's the end of the store.  Many times they become gentrified, like the wonderful old Mast Store in Valle Crucis, NC.  Others just sit empty, and are soon forgotten.

I figured I'd better pay a visit to one of my favorites, the M.A. Pace Store in Saluda, NC.  This store was founded in 1899 by the current owner's father.  It's been in the same building for 100 years.

I was right to go because the place is for sale.  Mr. Robert Pace is thinking about retirement.  I can just see this place being taken over by the Mast people (think Life is Good tee shirts and Woolrich.  Not bad things, but in their proper place, please!)

But in the meantime, if you happen to be anywhere near Saluda, go see Mr. Pace's store before it is gone.  And if you are not near it, get out there and find your own time-warp store!  Then let me know about it so I can hopefully wrangle a visit.

The store is now a combination of new and old merchandise, with all the old stuff being original to the store and not for sale.  The original shelves line the walls, and they are full of old shoe boxes (yes, with the shoes inside), sewing notions, and clothing boxes.  There was a sign that read not to open the boxes, but Mr. Pace said he's turn his head so I could peek into a few!  There is everything from 1910s boots to shoes from the 60s.  And no matter how sweetly you ask, he will not sell - unless you want to buy all of it!

See some of Lizzie's photos of what she did see in the store here in her Vintage Traveler post, and read more about the neat old town of Saluda, North Carolina on her WNC (Western North Carolina) Traveler blog.

Thanks for bringing this neat old place to our attention Fuzzy Lizzie! Now Retro Roadmap readers can check it out if they're in the area.