Brass Bear Antiques prepares to open

After sitting vacant for 10 years, the former pet store location didn’t look like much with its collection of old shower fixtures and a smell worse than any wet dog. 

But to Charles Tuttle, the 20,000-square-foot space was a diamond in the rough, especially when he learned that the former gym location next door was also available. Both retail spaces, right off the intersection of Valleydale and Caldwell Mill roads, have now joined to become Brass Bear Antiques & Flea Mall. 

“Everybody in the neighborhood is just so happy that something is moving in because they have seen that space just sit there for 10 years,” Charles said. “So I think that excitement is going to do well for us.” 

Charles’sister, Sherry, came up with the idea to open Brass Bear. She’s a homebuilder by trade and has always delved in the antiquing world on the side for fun. When she decided she wanted her own store, Charles, who owns his own mortgage company, used his connection to help her find a space. 

As Pelham residents, the Tuttles started scouting places there, but Charles said he didn’t feel like it was a good place for traffic or the variety of shoppers that they would want. After finding their current space, Charles said he’s happy with about all the surrounding schools and neighborhoods. 

He believes the store will draw customers from the Highway 119 area, Hoover, Oak Mountain and Pelham, along with travelers driving down I-65. They’ve even had calls and emails from people as far as Cullman, Gadsden and Montgomery. 

What will draw those customers, Charles said, are the unique items they will be able to find at Brass Bear. With more than 200 vendors already onboard and a storefront that can hold about 300, he said there will be many unique items to browse through.

“You can go to any retail store and see furniture and you can see knick-knacks, but the stuff that they are showcasing is really unique,” Charles said. “You just don’t find them in stores, so I think people are going to be coming from all around.”

Many vendors are people who sell old antiques, while others sell repurposed and one-of-a-kind furniture. One company makes lake and beach chairs out of old wooden skis. Charles also said that he has signed more than 10 artists who will be showcasing original work. 

“I really love this stuff,” Charles said. “All the vendors have shown me pictures of what they are going to bring in. That’s really exciting. [It’s] unique stuff that you don’t see everyday.”

Each vendor will be given an equally visible booth, and Charles said the booths will flow nicely throughout the store so that no vendor will be missed. 

With the construction nearly over, Charles expected Brass Bear Antiques to be ready to open the end of January.

 “We’ve got a whole lot of cool stuff coming in,” Charles said. “People are going to be really excited once they see everything.”