Canton’s newest marketplace preparing to open soon

By Lori Lycette

After the Piggly Wiggly at the intersection of Highways 16 and 43 shut its doors in 2018, 35,000 square feet of commercial real estate has been virtually unused…until now. 

CantonTown, Canton’s newest marketplace, featuring thirty-six vendors from all walks of life who have one thing in common…the love for all things old, unique and for some, quite eccentric.

Most of the vendors from the former Flowood Antique Flea Market have recently moved and set up shop in what was affectionately referred to as the “Big Pig” by many Cantonians for several years, and Jitney Jungle for decades prior.   
“It all started when I was little; my mom dragged me around to estate sales, which led me to be a teenager collecting everything,” said David Murrell, owner of CantonTown, the new marketplace loaded with vendors offering their most prized treasures from days gone by. 

“When I was in high school in 1983, me and a buddy set up a booth making a killing at the A & I Building in Jackson,” continued Murrell.

Murrell then officially caught “the bug.” While attending Belhaven, Murrell took stuff to different county auctions.
“I then had a booth at the Fairgrounds Flea Market,” said Murrell. “What didn’t sell there, I sold at auction.”

After working for a local television station as well as in real estate for a few years, Murrell began the hunt for a good place to open a flea market.

In July 2010, Murrell and two partners opened the Flowood Antique Flea Market. It thrived for fifteen years, until the lease ran out and wasn’t up for renewal.

A longtime Canton resident, it just made sense to move the business to Canton. Murrell said he is currently leasing the building but intends to purchase it in the future.

“Canton has been my home since 1985,” said Murrell. “In the late 90s, I had a store in the old Bill’s Dollar Store on West Peace Street, until someone made an offer to buy it.”

CantonTown is more than a flea market, with local crafts people, antiques dealers and basic houseware resellers. Thirty-six vendor booths completely fill the building.

“All these vendors come from all walks of life,” said Murrell. “Customers and vendors are all like a family. There is so much diversity down here in the flea market.” 

The market has items for every age group: toys for kids, video games for teenagers and young adults, housewares for apartments or dorm rooms, as well as furnishings for older adults. 

Murrell’s section, the Odditorium, located at the back of the building, contains an extremely eclectic mix of oddities that he has collected over the years.

“Most anything in the world you can find here, from fine antiques to garage sale items, housewares,” added Murrell. “We are more than a flea market - after fifteen years, it’s evolved into its own entity…tools, clothing, military surplus, refurbished appliances.” 

Donnie Register, from Morton, and his wife, Darlene, have been dealing in antiques since 1971. Castle House Antiques is the name of their business.

The Registers had a large store on State Street in Fondren for many years, before joining the Flowood Flea Market over thirteen years ago. 

Known as “The Clock Man,” his booth is easily noticed after entering the front door.

“We have owned over 30,000 pre-WWII clocks of all shapes and sizes - the quality got really bad after that,” stated Donnie Register. Register also deals in rare coins…early U.S., European and Roman, to name a few, as well as antique maps and civil war prints.

“We also offer stained glass windows. You can usually buy the old ones cheaper than having a new one made,” added Register.

When asked about the new location in Canton, Register replied, “It will be a good variety of stuff here. I think we’ll be a good addition for the area.”

One Wall Gallery, near the center of the back wall, is owned by artist Chuck Jett, who has done portraits at the former location in Flowood for about fifteen years off and on.

Jett says he can paint most anything - a big request is custom acrylic on canvas portraits of people and pets, but way more pets. 

“I’m always here painting and sketching on stuff. I create original art for man caves, she-sheds, shops and game rooms,” said Jett. “I would call it a pop culture/counter-culture vibe.”

Jett has painted nose art on a WWII plane, rusted auto doors and furniture.

“If I can get paint to stick to it, I’ll paint it,” added Jett. “Visit my OneWallGalleryMS Instagram or Facebook page to see samples and my current inventory.”

Jett also invites the community to stop by to see his work in person and commission him to paint a custom project. 

Mike Page, out of Pearl, known as “The Game Store Guy,” has owned and run The Game Store MS for the past fifteen years and is one of the largest video game dealers in Mississippi.

An antiques dealer for forty years, Page had his first booth at the Fairgrounds Antique Flea Market beginning in 1990 and then had been at the Flowood Flea Market for fifteen years. 

Page’s interest in video games happened totally by accident.

“I had two boys, and we’d go to garage sales,” said Page. “I had been going to garage sales buying antiques and decided to buy some video games. Within five minutes, I figured out how to clean the games and consoles and make them work properly.”

Page told how he bought a tub full of video games for $40, cleaned them up and eventually made a nice profit.

“I have never played video games, nor do I know how,” added Page. “I had to learn the video game business.”

Watching a grown man’s face light up with joy is one of Page’s favorite perks of his job.

“I get the satisfaction of seeing the twelve-year-old pop out of a man - the goal is to give you the feeling you had on Christmas morning as a child,” said Page.

The Game Store MS also offers stereo equipment, thousands of older CDs and a multitude of cassettes and albums. In Page’s booth, you will also find some antiques, small unique items and even chandeliers. 

Everything that Page sells is in very good condition.

“The antique dealer in me makes me sell quality merchandise,” said Page. “It’s going to look good and work right.”
This line of work seems to agree with Page and is keeping his “inner child” alive and well.

“I’ll be 71 in May, and this keeps my mind sharp. I don’t price anything - I keep everything in my head,” quipped a very energetic and confident Page.

Peggy Sue Monk, from Pearl, is the owner of a very popular spot in the flea market. 

Monk’s booth is well known as the second largest rock and fossil dealer in the state. The business is appropriately named Between A Rock & A Hard Place.

Rocks and crystals, fossils, anime, 3D printed fidgets, new toys and even vintage items can be found in Monk’s booth.
Monk’s love for and interest in rocks began at an early age.

“I was born in California and grew up in Oregon. So, rocks were everywhere. I have a wealth of knowledge about rocks, crystals and gemstones. I can pretty much identify and tell you all about your find,” said Monk. “I have over one hundred types of rock and fossils for sale.” 

Monk also offers an assortment of jewelry, including rings starting at only $1 each.

If you’re hunting for something in particular, Monk says she will try her best to get it in stock.

Monk had been in business for the past seven years at the Flowood Antique Flea Market, where customers often came in asking for Peggy Sue by name.

With a special tie to Canton, Monk says she is looking forward to opening day in the new location. 

“I’m a retired teacher from McNeal Elementary here in Canton and can’t wait to see former students and their parents soon,” Monk added.

CantonTown is a family-friendly environment, welcoming children and even pets. The “Snake Man” should be on site monthly. 

Pop-up local artists doing caricatures will be on the front sidewalk every weekend. Cantonians are encouraged to stop by, email or Facebook message if they’d like to rent a space.

Lew’s famous nut pralines, fresh popcorn, chips, candy and drinks will be available for purchase.

“There has been so much excitement from vendors and local Cantonians. People are often riding by and asking if we’re open yet,” said Murrell.

Grand opening is set for sometime in March. Food trucks will be on site, also the Star Wars group, a clown, door prizes and live entertainment are planned throughout the whole weekend.

The marketplace will be open every Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and every Sunday from noon until 5 p.m. There will be a $1 admission. 

“Every weekend, we’ll have new merchandise. We always have something new here,” added Murrell. “Come on out and see us!”

CantonTown is located at 1150 East Peace Street in Canton, inside the former Piggly Wiggly building in the 16/43 Plaza shopping center.

Stay current with Facebook page CantonTown. For more information, email [email protected]