By Karen Parr-Moody
GRAND RIVERS, Ky. – So many women love to piddle around antique stores in small towns that it is practically a national pastime. That said, it’s the best of both worlds when a man can piddle along.
At Grand Rivers Antiques in Grand Rivers, Kentucky, a couple can make a date of it – along with canoeing at Land Between the Lakes and dining at the famous Patti’s Settlement. It’s a fun trip that is only an hour’s drive from Clarksville.
Mark Newcomb is the owner of the store at 1815 J.H. O’Bryan Avenue (call for more information at 270-362-8571). It is a his-and-hers style of antique store – which is unusual in that world of Victorian settees and Depression glass.
Block Optic was an Anchor Hocking pattern that was produced from 1929 to 1933./Karen Parr-Moody
There is plenty of glass and art pottery from collectible makers such as Hull, Shawnee, McCoy, Anchor Hocking, Windsor, American Bisque and Lefton. Any woman who loves to look at – and collect – glass will not be disappointed.
As for guns? “There’s everything you can think of,” said Newcomb. “We have one of the largest selections in western Kentucky.”
To be more specific, there are shotguns, pistols, revolvers and more from major brands, which include Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Glock, Springfield, Benelli, Franchi, Stoeger, Browning, Winchester and Henry, totaling 300 to 400 guns in stock. Among the knife brands are Benchmade, Case, Columbia River, Kissing Crane, Smith & Wesson, Hen & Rooster, Queen, Zero Tolerance, ESEE and Kershaw. The store stocks 600 to 700 knives.
“It’s not just a women’s store,” pointed out the store’s manager, Lecia Thomas. “Most men don’t want to come to an antique store, so it’s got something for everybody.”
Pink hobnail opalescent sherbet glasses are just one of many finds at Grand Rivers Antiques in Grand Rivers, Kentucky./Karen Parr-Moody
And the store is perfectly situated. Just down the block is Patti’s Settlement, where guests rave about the homemade food and pies. There are also other small antique stores within walking distance.
And nearby, at Land Between the Lakes, visitors can cap off the day with a canoe or kayak trip. Each boat can be rented for $10 an hour. For more 
information visit www.lbl.org/WaterActivities.html.
Shawnee Pottery, the maker of this cookie jar, was a Zanesville, Ohio company that began producing wares in 1937 such as flowerpots, vases, planters and cookie jars./Karen Parr-Moody
Karen Parr-Moody began a career as a New York journalist, working as a fashion reporter for Women’s Wear Daily, a beauty editor for Young Miss and a beauty and fashion writer for both In Style and People magazines. Regionally, she has been a writer at The Leaf-Chronicle newspaper and currently writes about arts and culture for Nashville Arts magazine each month.