Matthew Emory with Mandy McQueen. Photo by Zach Stewart.
History, creativity, and artistic flair come together in the best-kept secret of Cowpens, South Carolina — its vibrant antique shopping scene.
A trip down Main Street reveals a wide assortment of antique shops, some of which have been around for 20 years. Three new shops have opened in the last year, and Cowpens only continues to grow and expand.
One of the most beloved spots on Main Street is Marketplace on Main, an antique store owned and operated by Matthew Emory. A native of Cowpens, Emory’s love for antiques stems from family ties.
“My great grandmother used to take me to the shops when I was a little kid, and it was something I always loved,” remembers Emory. “Yard sales, flea markets, things like that.”
Emory had been working in real estate for nine years, and was completely burned out. “I was coming up on 40, and COVID hit, and I found this tiny little building in Cowpens for sale.” Emory says it felt like a “Why not?” moment. In the midst of the pandemic, the future felt uncertain, and there was no better time to experiment. “I thought I’d try it for six months and get it out of my system,” says Emory, “and I tried it, and it really took off.”
For Emory, the magic of antiques lies in the thrill of the hunt. “I love looking and finding such unusual things,” he says. “And I love my customers. I really love my customer base, I have the best, most supportive customers I could ever imagine.”
Being a part of a small community, Marketplace on Main has an assortment of local regulars who frequently stop by. However, the store’s “regulars” extend far past the limits of Spartanburg County.
“We have regulars that come up from Atlanta, or down from Tryon and Charlotte,” says Emory. “Booth vendors and interior designers who love to find a deal.”
Marketplace on Main is home to around 25 vendors, each of which adds their own unique touch. “There’s something for everybody,” says Emory. “We’ve got your rusty nail stuff, the primitives that people love, we have two booths slam-packed full of awesome vintage books, we have jewelry, and knives, and candles… we really have a little bit of everything.”
One of Marketplace on Main’s newest vendors is Mandy McQueen, the owner of Promiseland Farm, a local photography venue in Cowpens. A born-and-raised Cowpens native, McQueen has spent the past six years creating a space for people to capture memories — and now, she’s extending her creativity a step further.
McQueen, a talented decorator and designer, utilizes her skills to select antiques, props, and vintage furniture to be used in photoshoots at Promiseland Farm. “I just didn’t have enough space to store everything,” she says, “and then someone connected me with Matt.”
McQueen now runs a storefront booth in Marketplace on Main — an extension of Promiseland Farm. “I’ve been selling some of my designs and pieces there,” she says. “When I’m done with something for the season, I’ll display it in my booth, and those who are interested in what I’ve purchased and loved can buy it for themselves. It’s a way that I’m able to give back to the community through people who are interested in what I’ve done.”
Having spent her whole life in the area, McQueen says she’s excited to see how Cowpens continues to grow and thrive. “I love to see our little town grow,” she says. “Promiseland is kind of a hub where people come from Anderson, Greenville, Columbia, Simpsonville, we’ve even had people drive in from Charleston. It brings a lot of traffic through Cowpens, so I’m honored to have an extension of my business with my designs and styles featured that people have driven hours to take part in.”
Emory encourages people to stop by Cowpens and see the growth for themselves. “We have a great coffee shop and ice cream place across the street, and some fun restaurants are opening up. It’s just a really cute town.” He says that the people of Spartanburg often feel that Cowpens is too much of a hike — but that it’s really not as far as it might seem.
“I live on the east side of Spartanburg, and it’s really not far,” he says. “Jump in the car, get a coffee, and take a 15 minute drive down. You can’t even finish a cup of coffee by the time you get to us.”
Marketplace on Main is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours until 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s the perfect place to stop by, explore, and start your holiday shopping! Customers who’d like to get in touch can visit the store’s Facebook page or call 864-406-0546. The store also offers full estate sale services, from unboxing and sorting to pricing and staging.
