Based in Ripley, Tennessee, Ables Antiques got its start in 1990. After Tony and Kitty Ables tied the knot, they set out antiquing on their honeymoon and never looked back.
Above (from top): Custom 1960s dinning table; corner sofa with all original fabric in great shape
“It’s never boring or monotonous,” says Kitty about their business, which has brought them to Round Top for the last 30 years. “Great friendships have developed,” she says. “It’s like a second home.” As for what we can expect at Market Hill in the spring, she says, “Lots of unusual signs and neons as well as mid-century modern and country store finds. A custom 1960s dining table – the likes of which nobody else has – a unique and fantastic piece. A corner sofa with all original fabric in great shape – truly a mid-century gem!”
Ables Antiques shares a space with Props Antiques of Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee. Owners Klint Griffin and his wife, Cindy, love roaming the backroads looking for Americana relics.
“We love what we do!” Klint says. “Searching and scouring for unique items that really speak to us gives us a thrill. Seeing through to the hidden potential of pieces and then being able to connect with the perfect people for them is so satisfying. This will be our fourth year in Round Top and our second year at Market Hill,” he says. “The opportunity to source from and sell to people from all around the world is so amazing. This is really a family affair. We love having our eight-year-old son with us for a week during each spring and fall show. There really is a sense of community among the dealers – some are even like extended family. We enjoy creating that same bond with customers and that’s a huge reason we enjoy coming back to Round Top.”
“Many of our customers are in the restaurant and entertainment industries as we always have great old store counters, great mercantile pieces, and old signs including neons. We also have a following of designers and other customers with a great eye for interior design and an affinity toward genuine antiques and original surface furniture.”
Above (from top): 18th-century Venetian settee with original painted frame and reupholstered in a creamy leather with whimsical burlap back; A 1950s neon sign out of the Great Lakes area with original surface on the face and new neon.
When it comes to helping clients find that special piece, he says, “Most people we encounter have a general style they gravitate toward. By understanding our customer’s likes, we can then suggest pieces that might make sense with their vibe. People are always open to suggestions, and it’s such a great feeling to help guide them to new pieces that they might not have normally considered. Also, by being able to understand our customers, we can source specific pieces they may be searching for. We have many customers who reach out to us to find pieces for them. We’re honored to have their trust in knowing that we will find them great things.”
This spring, they are bringing lots of great things, all true to Props’ style.
“We will have more neons, old signs, and some great mercantile tables and counters as well as other unique finds. These types of pieces really speak to who we are as dealers. Our love for genuine antiques that have history and can create new history is profound.”
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