Some Austin Antique Mall vendors moving to Taylor, Round Rock after closure

AUSTIN (KXAN) --- Austin is losing a piece of its history. Wednesday marked the last day in business for the 40-year-old Austin Antique Mall.

The owner of the space is making room for an extension of the Playland Skate Center next door, according to vendors.

The Austin Antique Mall announced its imminent closure earlier this year, saying its final day for sales is Wednesday, May 15.

We have had an amazing run, but we have reached the end. Thanks to Austin and all of our amazing customers and friends for making us a very successful, locally owned and operated business. Please stop by and shop for last minute treasures, or just to say hello and goodbye. Thank you Austin, Texas for carrying us for so many wonderful years.

Austin Antique Mall via Facebook

'It is part of my life'

Walking into the Austin Antique Mall is like taking a step back in time. Draven Fried said it was her home away from home.

"Everything is old. Everything has character."

Draven Fried, Austin Antique Mall Worker

Her mom was one of the nearly 90 vendors at the mall. Fried said she spent most of her childhood there.

"This mall is like a fundamental part of my being," Fried said. "I grew up around here. It is part of my life."

Now, they're left packing up decades of history. On Wednesday, they tried to empty shelves and sell what they could.

"There's a lot of the history here that's going to end up being thrown in a storage container somewhere, or some things are just going to be thrown in the trash, which is really sad," Fried said.

Fried said some are preparing to move their business elsewhere.

"Some of them are moving to Vintique Collective in Taylor," Fried said. "Some vendors I think are going to Round Rock. Some are moving into all the little shops around Austin."

'I've been going decades'

Since announcing the closure, thousands have shown up to support.

"We have had lines going all the way down the hallway of people ready to check out. It's been really great to see things going out the door," Fried said. "We know they're going somewhere they'll be cared for."

Longtime customer Juliana Colbert is sad to see it go.

"I've been going decades."

Juliana Colbert, Austin Antique Mall Customer

It's a place that made her feel at home and reminded her of family.

"Makes me think of my grandparents," Colbert said. "It's an escape into another world. It's very sad that this is not going to be here anymore."