VERONA: The Factory Antique Mall (FAM) in Verona has been named the largest antique mall (LAM) in the country and boasts more than 225 dealers within its walls. During a news conference county and state officials gathered to announce the mall’s new status and boast about its previous history. “
This is a tourist destination and a place to look for that certain piece of history,” said Linda Hershey, president of the Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce. “Resale malls are a multi billion dollar a year industry.”The mall also serves as an outlet for filmmakers in the state to get props and relics for movies being made in Virginia.“Several notable films have snagged items from the Factory Antique Mall,” said Mary Nelson, deputy director of the Virginia Film Office.
“This is unique. There is no larger antique mall in the country.“Since I was young, I loved old things,” Nelson added. “Old things have always been really nice and important to me.”Films such as Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” used the antique mall to outfit the film, which was shot in Richmond and Petersburg. The AMC series “Turn” also used the mall for antique props.
