My Antique Booth Got Hit By a Tornado. Moving out and Sharing Lessons Learned from the Experience. 

My heart goes out to the vendors that lost so much inventory. 😢 I know it’s just stuff - but, I also know how much work goes into picking, cleaning, repairing, pricing, & displaying. Sending prayers to those that lost their inventory.

I own an antique mall and I can imagine how heartbreaking this tragedy is. I pray everyone comes out of this with new found strength and determination to go on with faith.

Oh I’m so very sorry. Prayers for your community and fellow vendors.

So sorry Melanie for the loss of your space and for the vendors who lost so much more. It is heartbreaking for a community to have loss of businesses. Hopefully there will be a quick rebound. Glad everyone is okay. Take care❤

Melanie, Im so sorry! Praying for you all ❤️

So sorry that you had to experience this and all those who lost so much.

I’m so sorry for all the losses, including loss of booth space. Thanks for such an uplifting attitude!

My heart goes out to everyone in your area affected by the storms. Maybe that door closed, but another will open. At least you still have your lovely and supportive family.

I live 2 counties east of Rogers and that storm was scary. Tornados touched down about 10 min away from us and a sweet woman lost her life that night. We took shelter in the basement. It was bad. It's baffling how the roof over head came off yet glassware and figurines remained on the shelves. I'm so happy your stuff was salvaged. We took out insurance for our booths about a year ago. We keep detailed inventory and take photos of everything just in case.

So glad you didn’t loose that much with this tragedy. My heart and prayers go to those affected with this storm

This is heartbreaking. In Austin, Texas, one of our Antique Malls closed after many years. It was such as loss to our community. I hope that the vintage community in your area finds a great space to rebuild and start afresh. Good luck to you my friend.

I'm sorry about all the damage, Melanie. I'm glad you weren't affected badly.

We had bad tornados in Iowa too. My cousin lost her house and her cars. They have to totally start over. Glad you're all safe, that's the important thing.

I live in NW Arkansas and my husband manages a Home Outlet store across Walnut from where you were. His store was damaged but fixable. I have shopped in your store many times and was so sad to see it destroyed like that. Prayers for you and your employees, vendors, and business.

My heart and prayers go out to all affect by this. I have so much family in NE Arkansas, Walnut Ridge

I’m a very sorry for the loss of your booth, but WOW it’s so amazing that you’ve been invited into a venue where no other vendors have been!! Super Cool!! Can’t wait to see what you do! Good luck!!!!!!!!😊

Girl I'm sorry. Some of my favorite places to shop were damaged and closed. I had just bought a booth at the flea that was completely wiped out down the road, Home Town Flea. The booth I got was supposed to be open on June 1st and it was just erased basically to the ground. I feel so sad for those who had booths there. There was nothing left to salvage so I'm glad for you that you were able to salvage most of your things but that opportunity for a space is now gone. I spent a year on a waiting list for the booth that was opening up. It's hard to find a booth in NWA and now it's going to be so much harder

So heartbreaking ! Happy to hear you found somewhere to sell your paint....something else will open up for your other inventory....prayers will be answered!

I'm sooooo sorry. I'm crying while watching....God bless you with something greater....

I’m sorry this happened. It is beautiful the way your husband and children pitched in and you worked as a family. 💞

First of all...I am so sorry to hear about the antique mall, your booth and the vendors and businesses. I saw pics on social media of the area and my heart sunk. This video you posted brought back so many memories for me. Our small North Texas town had a tornado in May of 2020. It hit the vintage mall I was in along with so much more damage and destruction in our town. It hit at night and word quickly spread in the morning hours the mall was hit. Of course we were all showing up tosee what to do. Owners were somewhat distraight, the city was not wanting anyone to go in the building but we did. The front part was were it came in and threw everything around. So much completely destroyed. Thankfully my booth was not real full as I was planning a reset. It come down through the ceiling about 3 foot from my booth. We carried out what we could find of my items. Lost a lot, salvaged a little. I can relate and my prayers go out to you. Like your situation, we had 85 booths and people not knowing what to do. We didn't have anywhere in town to even move our booths to. Praise the Lord our mall remodeled and 10 months later was able to open again. What a blessing you have a place for your paint! I know God will work out the details for you. Trust in Him...He shall direct your path! ❤

I’m so very sorry you’re having to deal with such a tremendous loss. From someone who survived Hurricane Laura and had to rebuild our home I do understand what you’re going through. You just take one day at a time and most of the time one hour at the time. God will see you through!

Melanie, such a very sad segment for three Antique Stores that were hit by a Tornado. Very sound advice for booth owners on insurance. My heart goes out to those in Roger's that went through it. GOD BLESS

Thank you for sharing this. We learn so much through adversity, and Im thankful you have the Lord to comfort and guide your heart. So easy to despair or let bitterness in.

Wow, I'm so sorry for your tragedy. I can't imagine what you are going through right now. I do hope you continue with your channel and taking us on your journey from here. You are so interesting, informative and fun to watch with such good taste..

Wow, I watched those storms on RU-vid "Hall ya'all" they were horrible. I don't have to worry about tornados but Earthquakes we have. Stay safe and I just subscribed. Thank you for sharing this.

So sad. I'm sorry to hear about the tornado damage but glad that you were ok. You have such a positive, inspiring attitude. Best of luck with your next adventure.

I'm so sorry , glad you all are okay. Best wishes to you, I'm sure you will succeed no matter where life takes you.

My heart goes out to you all. Prayers for you all.❤

So sorry for the heart break of the damage.YOU ALL are safe thank God as long as you stay strong you will be ok. So sorry take care.

So sorry to see this happen to you. You are such a nice talented lady. You will get through this and have a new shop soon. God bless you and your family.

Sending hugs; it broke my heart watching you guys pack everything up. Just thankful no one was hurt and that there was no damage to your booth. 💕💕

So sorry! Glad your inventory was ok. Prayers for all!

I'm so sorry this happened to y'all. My best wishes for a quick recovery.

I’m sorry this happened to you. It also happened to me in 2021. The shop where my booth was burned down. It was devastating and a lot of work. We were not allowed in for a month, So by then the water damage took over everything that wasn’t burned. It was a sad day to clean that out but I’ve moved on to a new booth and it is doing great. 😊

So sorry this happened. The tornados have been terrible this year. I’ll pray the vendors and owners can find a way to sell your items. I don’t carry insurance on my booths but often wonder if I should.

So sorry this happened. Praying for better days ahead!

Thanks for sharing . . . and all the best as you move forward with your little biz 😘

Oh my God…you’ve got to be kidding me!!! Wow! Wow! I am so sorry this has happened to you! Oh life…certainly does throw us curveballs…you truly are one of the lucky ones…we are in North central Illinois…it’s been a pretty active tornado season here, but not like what you have faced down there. My heart just goes out to you. Just proves…I guess…I think about this a lot as I have a lot of stuff…love my stuff, here at home (it’s organized and beautiful) lots of stuff in my booth….in the end, it’s just stuff. Our stuff is really insignificant. We’ll never take it with us….someday I’m just gonna wake up and say…here’s all my precious stuff…I’m done with it…just take it. All that really matters in this world is our loved ones and our relationship with God. God bless you as you sort this out…He takes such good care of us…you’ve already got a place for your paint!😌💕…I’ll keep you in my prayers💕

I AM SORRY THIS HAS HAPPENED TO YOU AND THE OTHERS, BUT I BELIEVE YOU WILL RECOVER IN TIME.....GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!

So sad to see. Thank you for sharing.

I'm so incredibly sorry. My thoughts are with you all.

Praying giving thanks to GOD ALMIGHTY for lives not lost; lives traumatized can be healed and recover from this. Glad that vendor reached out to you to bring your paints into their space. Thanks for giving good advice needed by many. Blessings in the Name of JESUS!!! We all must continue to trust in the LORD....lean not to our own understanding, acknowledge HIM in all our ways and HE shall direct paths. Ref: Proverbs 3. ❤

I'm so sorry for everyone affected. Two summers ago our antique mall burned to the ground and we lost everything. It's heartbreaking now but it will get better. It is just painful now. Sending big hugs to everyone.

Sorry that happened. I frankly was surprised the damage to your merchandise was not worse.

So sorry about what happened. I live in Missouri & we have our share of tornados. I had never thought about what I would do if one would damage our mall. My husband and I have 3 booths and most all our inventory is in those booths. I have thought a lot about doing some selling on line, now it's a more serious thought. So glad no one was hurt and I sure wish the best for all the vendors at those malls who were hit.

I am so sorry for the vendors who suffered lose from damaged items 🙏 sending prayers that it all works out for you all 🙏

I only recently found your channel. I live in central Arkansas, but my son and his family live in downtown Rogers. Their neighborhood was hit hard, Praise God they are all safe. As I watch this it brought back the tears from that morning after learning of the tornados and the devastation left behind. So glad you and your family are safe as well. Will continue praying for everyone affected.

Oh no! So sorry and I can only imagine all the work and time it will take to recoup!💐💐🌻

🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 Prayers to all the other vendors whose things were damaged. Hot Springs also had a tornado touch down 2 miles from my home. An antique mall I’m at had roof and electrical damage and will reopen hopefully late July or early August. My poor dog was home alone because I was in Little Rock at the VA for a sleep study. I STILL feel guilty, I imagine she was horrified. I loved that your fur baby made a brief appearance in your video. ❤ Take care.

Hi Melanie, great tips. I was told by a fellow employee way back, to never put all my eggs in one basket, alway diversify my income. Good advice. You never know whats around the corner. I'm glad you are safe and you can move foward.

I am so sorry this happened to you and your fellow vendors. I'm a vendor in 3 antique malls and live in SC so yes, we could be hit by a tornado as well. I have enjoyed your videos and learned a lot from you. I just shared this video on my FB page. I wish you the best as well as your friends. You are right in that we never know what's going to happen. Sending prayers to all of you.

Really difficult to see all the damage and loss. I hope the vendors that lost their pieces can start again and have another chance to move their business somewhere else if that’s what they desire. Good advice about tracking what you have and diversifying your income.

Prayers awe that’s tough 🙏🏽❤️

Truly heartbreaking. Blessings for all.

So sorry that happened.

Thanks Melanie for your great information and all the expertise you are willing to share with other vendors. So happy your booth was untouched but feel so heartbroken for those who lost much of their inventory. Hope and pray they are able to bounce back stronger.

I am so sorry for you and the rest of the sellers as well as the owners. Sending prayers to you and your community 🙏🏼

So heartbreaking Melanie.. I’m sorry for you and the vendors. 😔

I am so sorry for all of you.

Had been wondering/praying for you & family! I live in Tulsa & watched news that night as the tornado did so much damage to so many areas! Had heard one Rogers antique mall was totally demolished & all booths in it. Glad you were able to salvage most!

I'm so sorry! 💔

Sorry to see this happened to you and the other vendors. Hoping for a quick recovery for all.

Very sorry to all

Sorry that this happened to you all. Best of luck!

Sorry this happened, but glad your inventory was safe. It is heartbreaking to see all the pieces that were ruined.

I’m so sorry.

Hopefully only things were damaged or lost and not people. Having experienced a house fire years ago, yes, it is devastating but I learned quickly things are replaceable. ❤. Thinking of you as you regroup your booth business

So sad! 🙏

So very sorry prayers

So glad your area was not a total loss. Sorry you have to look for another antique mall to go to. Hopefully all you venders can recoup.

I would imagine that renting a van or truck to transport salvageable items might be hard to come by as well.

Oh, so sorry to hear this. Maybe FEMA has information on resources to help businesses re-establish and the vendors could collectively open somewhere new...

Did you sell a lot at Junk Ranch? I couldn't find your video on that.

this is heartbreaking. Tornados went through our town last month and destroyed many businesses. I can't imagine the loss. I'm sorry you're facing this.

So very sad, all the way around.

Oh I hate this for all of you. Thank the Lord no one was hurt at the mall.

🎉🎉 வணக்கம் தோழி இந்தியாவில் இருந்து தமிழ் வாசகர் 🎉🎉

How awful! I'm sorry. Glad you're okay. Do you have insurance? How do you even get insurance for a booth?

So sad. You just have to get back on the horse.

I can't even watch, I am so sorry