The Red Door offers more than just antiques

Published 11:14 am Tuesday, June 28, 2022

For the majority of his life, Gene Hammett worked as an electrician. Since he and his brother were 18 years old, they worked with their father. 

That all changed one day when his wife took him inside a store in Milledgeville that she loved, The Red Door Antiques. Hammett said that he thought the business was great and had a vast inventory of items. The antique store impressed him, although it took a lot of coaxing from his wife to drag him inside. 

Eventually, Hammett wound up having a conversation with the store’s owner, who he explained had been running it for more than 20 years. 

“She was getting ready to sell, and I was getting burned out being an electrician so I thought it would be something that I would enjoy,” Hammett said. 

In 2017, Hammett purchased The Red Door and kept the name of the business the same due to its rich legacy, which he wanted to honor. 

Located at 133 S. Wayne St. in Milledgeville, The Red Door began as an antique store, but has grown into a business with a vast inventory. 

“I work with local vendors to source things you won’t find anywhere else in Milledgeville,” Hammett states. They have upcycled furniture, home décor, apparel, handmade jewelry, and even things like honey and wine. If that’s not enough, The Red Door also has unique Lake Sinclair shirts, jackets, hats, totes and books from local authors available to purchase. Hammett said that he adds to the store’s inventory daily. One of The Red Door’s more recent additions is Kenyans Black Tea, which debuted at the store in February. 

All of the items at The Red Door are locally sourced. 

“I don’t buy from [Walmart] or other mass-produced sources. I source all my items locally to support local vendors,” he said.

Hammett explained that not only does he love Milledgeville, but also the location of The Red Door. His block, according to Hammett, has had struggles attracting customers in the past, which along with the COVID-19 pandemic, hurt everyone. What also hurts, in Hammett’s mind, is despite the prime location, some people don’t walk farther to their block. Thanks to several new businesses, however, things have started picking up. 

“We are excited about the revitalization of our block with new shops and know that we will draw more people to see us,” Hammett remarked before adding that his store is planning some events that he thinks will be fun and inviting to customers.

Hammett has a particular motivation when it comes to running the store.

“One of my passions has always been Civil War and Indian artifacts, so I have lots of cool things that I have uncovered locally,” he said. “My treasures include arrow heads, Megalodon teeth, Civil War cannon balls and more.” 

Hammett’s passion plays into what motivates him the most. 

“I really enjoy when kids come in here glued to their phones until they see these things and suddenly, they want to touch them and ask questions,” Hammett commented. “I love seeing the excitement in a kids face when they start to understand the history of something they find here.”

The Red Door is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday. Find them on Facebook as they work to grow their social media presence.