Dream comes true through hard work

SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTOS BY MACY MCCLANAHAN Jamey Carlson, who recently took over the old Salvation Army building at the corner of Madison Avenue and Thompson Road, spent considerable time and effort renovating the site for her new business, The Bazaar. The old store is unrecognizable now. Dan Riley (below) stands in front of one of the two booths that he rents at the shop. Riley, who has been selling in antique malls for many years, said he thinks that Carlson

By Macy McClanahan
Southsider Voice intern

A longtime eyesore that formerly housed a Salvation Army thrift store, the old building at northeast corner of Thompson Road and Madison Avenue now boasts a pleasing appearance and a new tenant in The Bazaar.
The shop, the Southside’s newest thrift store, is owned by Jamey Carlson, who has realized a longtime dream of owning a business that features reasonably priced items. 

The public had grown accustomed to seeing the Salvation Army’s parking lot littered with donations from customers. 

Enter Carlson, a painter before opening The Bazaar. Those skills came in handy as she applied a fresh coast of white paint over the faded red brick exterior; the building is accented with red awnings.

There was definitely some restoration to be done, but under Carlson’s guidance, the building was quickly in tiptop shape. The change was uplifting and provided the building with pleasing aesthetics. 

Carlson brought more than just a great place to shop with her ownership, though. 

Manager Julie Harvey said Carlson deserved praise for almost all of the repairs: “Anything she could do by herself she did.

“She wants people to get a good deal,” added Harvey, who explained that Carlson’s main goal was to reach out to shoppers who didn’t want to mess with the hustle and bustle of the mall. 

And The Bazaar really has a slice of just about everything from furniture to jewelry to electronics. 

Customer Tricia Hardin had nothing but praise for the store. She noted that the prices are usually reasonable and that she enjoys shopping there because of the wide range of merchandise. She has been there many times to look for gifts for her grandson and to pick up things for herself. 

The Bazaar is set up like a flea market, and Carlson rents out booths to various vendors, including Dan Riley, who has been selling in antique malls for many years. He said Carlson’s flea market has something great to offer. Riley mostly sells furniture and noted that his booths bring “a vintage style to the store.” 

Harvey explained that what they’re selling changes every week. “It’s not something that once you’ve been there once, you’ve seen everything ... it’s always, always changing.”  

After Carlson completed her impressive makeover of the building, the city sent a letter of thanks to her landlord, who was equally impressed and asked if if she could paint the properties across the street. 

She accepted because even through her many travels she has always called the Southside home. 
For Carlson, owning a store, cleaning up her city and sharing it with her community was a dream come true.