Old Bryan Marketplace

A few weekends ago my husband and I were looking for something to do for the day and out of the blue we both decided that it would be kind of fun to drive over to Bryan, TX.  We had been through Bryan once before some time back but hadn't really stopped or seen much of this town.  So for whatever reason, it seemed like a good day to go back to Bryan and see what was going on over there.  Located just a few miles from Texas A&M, Bryan's historic downtown area is a nice mix of shops, restaurants, cafes and even a few art galleries, and it seems to be quite the destination for the local community as well as for those of us venturing over from the Austin area.  My most interesting find of the day however was a large brick building that caught my eye as we were driving along one of the main streets of this historic area.

We decided to stop and check out what could possibly be behind this warehouse-y looking facade, and as soon as we entered, I knew this was going to be a fabulous find!  The Old Bryan Marketplace occupies a 22,000 square foot historic building (built in 1908) that has been renovated and re-purposed into a beautiful modern-day marketplace where you can find lovely treasures of all kinds for your home, your pantry, and even your closet.

They have a beautiful mix of antiques and new furnishings, home decor, lighting, florals, bedding, books, teas and jams, kitchen supplies, and even women's and children's clothing.  Every corner of this rustic building invites you to discover the beautiful finds that lie within.

You could literally spend hours here discovering all the goodies they have to offer, and if you find yourself needing a little refreshment, you can always stop and enjoy a nice lunch or dessert at Madden's Restaurant located right inside this marketplace.

After talking a while with one of the friendly employees here, we did discover that a long-time resident of Bryan was the owner and innovator behind Old Bryan Marketplace.  Kay Conlee had vision for this building and her community when she decided back in 1996 to purchase this old historic building.  She renovated the building and brought back the life and charm of it's brick walls, old pine floors, and leaded windows, and then put her love and passion for antiques and home decor into a place where the local community could appreciate and enjoy.

In addition to Kay bringing her own beautiful offerings to this building, she set aside space in this historic gem for other businesses to occupy as well.  A restaurant, event venue, interior designer, and jewelry shop all call this building home too.

I don't have as many pictures as I would like to have of this great place, but I have to say this was such a fun find for me.  I am always inspired by people who love their community and are able to invest in their community in such a bold way as purchasing and renovating old buildings that become, not only a mainstay, but an initiator of revitalization in their town.  If every small town across the nation could be restored to it's heart and it's purpose, wouldn't that just be wonderful?!  Old Bryan Marketplace has done this for Bryan, TX, and it is well worth the visit if you are ever in the area.

Enjoy & Explore more of Old Bryan Marketplace

Store Hours:  Mon.-Sat. 10am-5pm

Website: Oldbryan.com

Facebook Page:  facebook.com/oldbryan