Arcadian Antiques in Nickels Arcade is a family-owned business servicing the Ann Arbor community for four decades. Specializing in bridal and antique jewelry, the store offers a vast selection of over two hundred engagement rings and wedding bands to suit the needs of customers from all over. Moreover, Caravan Gift Shop, just a few feet away, is the oldest gift shop in town and lately brought back more customers with the recent shift towards vintage items and rustic designs. It’s clear why Rhonda Gilpin and the entire Ahles family have stood the test of time in such an ever-changing city.
The Bailey Ahles family has operated the Caravan Gift Shop and Arcadian Antiques within Nickels Arcade for decades. Rhonda Gilpin, Ahles’s mother, took ownership of Arcadian Antiques when she was only 20 years old and is now celebrating her 40th year in business. Moreover, the family purchased the Caravan Gift Shop from a family friend sometime between 1990 and 1994; it has since become the oldest gift shop in Ann Arbor with 96 years of service.
Ahles proudly affirmed that Arcadian Antiques is renowned for its authentic antiques, ranging from necklaces and earrings to home decor. Their bridal collection is trendy among customers. The remarkable success of both shops is a testament to the Ahles family’s hard work and dedication to offering quality items to the Ann Arbor community.
With over 200 engagement rings and wedding bands, Arcadian Antiques is a one-stop shop for bridal jewelry, attracting buyers from near and far.
Owner Ahles takes great pride in sourcing pieces from all over the world, carefully deciding which pieces will be sold as is and which will need alterations. Ahles prides itself on offering antique pieces with a charm that other stores cannot match. These pieces have a unique craftsmanship that is far different than those used today. They want to preserve history and recycle while providing customers something unique and meaningful.
Additionally, Arcadian Antiques offers a jewelry restoration service, allowing customers to bring their pieces or heirlooms to be mended by the store’s jeweler.
The jeweler specializes in the expert repair and restoration of antique jewelry, providing a valuable service often unavailable elsewhere.
Caravan’s gift store is a treasure trove of handmade items, from wooden and glass goods to jewelry, featuring work from over 100 artisans. Customers flock to the shop for its unique selection of wooden salad bowls and salad tongs, hand-blown glassware, and even one-of-a-kind hummingbird feeders. With such an extensive range of quality items, Caravan’s gift store has something for everyone.
Arcadian Antiques is no different, boasting various antiques and collectibles, from vintage furniture to classic jewelry. With this impressive selection, Arcadian Antiques has become a must-visit destination for locals and visitors alike in Ann Arbor. Both stores have built a diverse and wide-reaching customer base, partially because customers who purchased items at the University of Michigan often return once they graduated, showing how beloved these businesses are in the community.
Furthermore, the convenience of the stores in the Nickels Arcade is a bonus, allowing faculty to stop by quickly and purchase group gifts or birthday cards.
The Ahles family has firmly established a place in the Ann Arbor community with their continued service for 96 years at the Caravan Gift Shop and 40 years in the ownership of Arcadian Antiques. In this period, they have amply demonstrated exceptional dedication to offering the public quality goods ranging from necklaces and earrings to engagement rings and wedding bands. The Bailey Ahles family is committed to keeping alive these cherished businesses for the appreciative individuals living in or visiting Ann Arbor, Michigan.
