Possum Emporium Celebrates First Year in Business

Visitors enjoy antiques, vegetables, and more at the Padgetts’ latest project

Where else but Mentone are you going to find an antique mall that also sells vegetables, is located in a former church, and is named for North America’s only marsupial?

The man behind that vision, of course, is Ray Padgett. Two years ago, Ray was looking for a new project, and the old church on County Road 642 sparked his imagination. What some people might describe as “beyond repair,” Ray saw as having great potential.

When Ray’s wife of 60 years, Sandra, stepped into the building for the first time, her response was simple. “This is not going to happen,” she told him. Little did she know, however, that Ray already had a contract on the building.

Over the next several months, Ray, their son Duncan, and a family friend worked long hours to rescue the main building from mildew, black-painted walls and ceilings, smelly carpet, and a lack of natural light. Sandra says the transformation was miraculous. “He worked Ray Padgett magic on this building,” she says.

When the Possum Emporium opened in May of 2025, vendors had filled all available booth spaces with fascinating finds. The visitors started coming in droves.

Inside, they found a variety of antiques, collectibles, curiosities, and oddities, along with specialty food items. The shop has held many community events designed to bring people together and create a fun atmosphere for shoppers.

What’s in a Name?

On the surface, the name “Possum Emporium” seems like nothing more than a clever moniker to build a retail identity around. The story behind the name, however, goes back several years and involves a challenge that became a published book.

In the early 2000s, Ray and Sandra purchased the building across from Mentone Town Hall with the intent of creating an art gallery. Ray told their daughter, Julia, he wanted to name it The Grinning Possum. “Father,” he recalls her telling him, “that is not an appropriate name for an art gallery.”

Then came the stinger: “However, if you even knew how to write,” she purportedly challenged, “it would make a delightful children’s book.”

Within a few hours, Ray was fleshing out character names and plotlines on his drive from Atlanta back to Mentone. The result was the beautifully illustrated book “Grinnin’ Possum,” which follows the trials and adventures of William Bernard Possum.

Ray’s possum survived in book form, while the art gallery received a more traditional name: Kamama, a Cherokee word for butterfly. But Ray never completely abandoned the idea of naming a physical space after the critter.

That opportunity came with the antique mall. “People remember the name,” Ray says. “They’ll see a sign somewhere and say, ‘I wonder what that is?’”

Additions and Expansions

One of the store’s most popular offerings comes from an entirely different direction.

Each Friday during growing season, Ray makes the trip to a Mennonite farm in the Sand Mountain town of Section to purchase fresh produce. What began as a simple convenience has become one of the business’s strongest attractions.

“So many people from Mentone were already driving over there for vegetables,” Ray says. “We can save them the trip.”

The business has expanded during its first year. Additional spaces have been renovated and opened, creating more opportunities for vendors and community activities. One building now houses music instruction by Lee Bailey, along with studio space for his wife, the artist Sarah Bailey.

Unexpected Benefits

For Ray, the buildings, merchandise, and events are only part of the Possum Emporium story. The greatest blessing has been the people. “The best part of all this is I get to meet people every day that I’ve never met,” he says. “And I get to see old friends I haven’t seen in years.”

Sandra has also benefited from the therapeutic nature of this new endeavor. After selling the Kamama building and then the isolation of the pandemic, the socially outdoing Sandra says she “became a hermit for a while.” She’s recovering from that thanks to the Possum Emporium, where she comes at least once per week, usually on Sunday, to spend time in the shop conversing with visitors.

“I want this to be a place that everyone loves and enjoys,” she says.

The Next Chapter

Sandra’s sentiment echoes a pattern visible throughout the Padgetts’ years in Mentone. From helping preserve the historic Mentone Springs Hotel to creating gallery space, renovating downtown buildings, and supporting local businesses, they have repeatedly invested in places where people gather.

The Possum Emporium is simply the latest chapter. One year after opening, the former church has become one of Mentone’s more distinctive destinations. Part antique mall, part farmers market, part community gathering place, it defies easy categorization.

As for what comes next, Ray admits he already has another project in mind. He’s not ready to discuss details, but anyone who knows him isn’t surprised. “He’s a dreamer,” Sandra says. “He has an abundance of energy and optimism. When does his mind ever sleep?”

The Possum Emporium
1774 County Rd. 642, Mentone, AL

This month at the Possum:
July 4 Fish Fry Celebration
Saturday, July 4, 11:30 a.m. to
3 p.m. Featuring Grill Billy’s crispy catfish and sides. $10/plate. Fabulous live music, too!