Behind Back Road Relics in Bolivar

When Crystal Conley, owner of Back Road Relics (Bolivar) first toured the old “Stephen’s building” on Bolivar’s square, it was love at first sight. “This building had a soul,” Conley says. The space that now houses Conley’s occasional vintage and antique home goods market (originally located about four miles south on the outskirts of Bolivar) was built in the early 1900s. Conley says it has been a part of the Bolivar square for as long as anyone can remember. 

Conley enlisted lots of family members to help her restore the space to its former glory. The building had previously been used as a photography studio and had choppy spaces. Conley began by stripping out as much as she could, and during the process she uncovered brick walls, old wallpaper and plaster, which she left as-is. “Old is my passion,” says Conley. “I was thrilled.” 

As they peeled away more and more, the beauty of the building began to come to life. One of the first tasks was removing all the carpet to see what was underneath. Turns out, under layers and layers of carpet, linoleum and particle board were hardwood floors. “It was blood, sweat and tears getting it all up,” says Conley. “But it was so worth it.” 

As her family worked away on the building, locals buzzed about what she was up to. “It’s a small town, and people saw what we were doing,” says Conley. “There was an outpouring of support from the community; people were excited to see the space take on a new life.” Conley removed the drop ceiling to expose a gorgeous original tin ceiling, and she removed old dressing rooms, cabinets and many other elements that were not original to the building, exposing the raw bones of the space.

Creating a new backdrop for Conley’s vintage treasures and modern finds was the goal. She wanted to focus on the right aesthetic. “It’s all about the feeling when you walk into the space,” says Conley. “One person said it feels like a big hug when you walk in. I loved that.”

No matter what you’re looking for, you can expect to enjoy a magical experience at Back Road Relics, and the new location is a great example of Conley’s passion for old and her creativity for creating unique experiences that have come together to save a treasured landmark in downtown Bolivar.

Back Road Relics is only open once a month, and Conley works hard to set up beautifully layered vignettes, creating a new experience for shoppers each month. There’s always something new to discover. The new space has a quaint little backyard area as well—the perfect place for Conley to decompress after a busy market weekend.

Fall is a great time to visit the market. Conley brings out cozy fall items like porch quilts, wool blankets and rustic benches, as well as decorative items like heirloom pumpkins. “Our fall market is also when we release our Christmas collection,” says Coney. “It’s the perfect time to kick off holiday shopping.”