Highway 8 is a scenic path that cuts through Van Buren, Sequatchie, and Warren counties. Cattle, wildlife, and pines line the roadway that leads off the mountain into McMinnville.

Toward the east end of the highway, where it intersects with Highway 111, is a large metal building with a welcoming sign for those in search the unique. 

The Highway 8 Furniture and Treasures sign is flanked by the American flag proudly flown by owners Steve and Patti Ray.

For the past three years this treasure chest of a shopping experience has been the staging area for a collection with patina and personality. 

Artifacts from all categories, genres, topics, and style fill this 10,000-square-foot facility of ultimate recycling.

The items have been hand-picked over the past 30 years. Steve and Patti used to own a furniture store on The Strip in McMinnville. When the time came to make a decision regarding a financial “fork in the road” the couple embarked on constructing their own building to share items collected over the years.

It is nearly impossible to find a glimpse of the actual walls of the building as you enter. Photos, paintings, and decor items are systematically arranged for the keen eye to view and discern. 

Images of John Wayne and Lucy are just a few of the faces framed and ready for the right collector.   

Simple life and farm items are available to spruce up the country-style lover. Rows and sections are purposely created by the strategic design of Patti. Her expertise is the ability to maximize the displays by intertwining reborn furniture with items from generations gone by.

Steve’s house of creativity is the “workshop.” Located at the store, it is where he refurbishes the unwanted into works of art.  “I love building things with wood,” he says. “I can build just about anything out of wood. People bring me a picture and I build it for them.” 

Open seven days a weeks, Steve and Patti love what they do. They spend many of their waking hours making new friends as they interact with shoppers who enter the store. 

The experience is more than just the multiple items on display. It also includes the passion and personality of the owners. 

“We get a lot of local repeat customers that come from all over the area, because we always have something new and different,” said Patti. “Some people don’t want to have yard sales so they call us. If they have stuff that we like and the price is right, then we bring it to the store.”  

This discerning duo doesn’t buy just anything, and they are adamant about the inventory. “We want to offer quality merchandise, but without the high prices that are asked at the antique dealers,” said Steve.

“We get people from all over the country. They come to the area for vacation and make us a destination while they are visiting,” said Patti.