Funky Junky, Reimagine a Peace of the Past

Copyright© All Rights Reserved Lori J Latimer / Funky Junky™ Russellville, AR

Jimmy Armstrong & Amanda Shilling would not be offended if you called them pickers. As a matter of fact, they were picker-ing before picking was made popular by reality television.

Jimmy has owned A-1 Pawn Shop for over 30 years. An icon in the River Valley, he has been buying, selling and trading stuff for several decades. He is a wheeler dealer, and likes 'old stuff'.

Amanda has always been interested in the things and trends of the generations who have gone before her. Her older siblings loved the music, clothing and trends of the late 1960's and early 1970's, and Amanda liked it too. She was also interested in the earlier artifacts of her parents and grandparent's generation. Ms. Shilling was exposed to the neatest items and trends partially due to the business established by her family.

An interesting piece of Russellville history is that her family established Leonard's Hardware on North Commerce Street in Russellville, Arkansas in 1906. Later, they moved to their present location on 1319 S Arkansas Ave in Russellville. Leonard's is one of those trusty Hardware stores where you can browse for hours. You can locate modern coolers and ceiling fans parts, and old parts for obscure and antique equipment. They have been in business over 100 years.

When Jimmy Armstrong and Amanda Shilling first went into business together, they were renting a booth down at Little Rock, AR. Traveling all that way, toting all of their items to sell, and the stuff they bought became a hardship. One day Jimmy surprised Amanda, "I bought us a shop in downtown Russellville." At first Amanda felt a little trepidition; that is a big step up from renting a booth. When she went down to 116 N. Commerce and saw the store, she knew it was a good sign. They had come full circle...the store Jimmy had purchased, was the original Leonard's Hardware building her grandparents had established in 1906!

Funky Junky is a big part of the Downtown Russellville revitalization.

Funky Junky is near the old train depot South of Peter's Family Living.

When you visit will find this cool shop quietly tucked in if closed, or bustling, thriving and sticking out colorfully all over.

One of the many reasons I love Funky Junky is this is where I found a much needed kitchen table. I had been searching for weeks and was having no luck. There are many fine furniture stores, discount places and second-hand shops, but for weeks there was nothing I could stand that would also fit my limited budget.

Having left one store, very sad and low spirited, I looked up and saw the Funky Junky sign. I walked in the door feeling immediately that I was home. Noticing a group of tables and chairs, I walked down the isle. In 3 minutes I found my table and four chairs. I could not have been happier. They let me put the last two chairs on lay-away, and my kitchen is simple and comfortable now.

Thank you Jimmy & Amanda!

Not everything is for sale.

Funky Junky is more than a store, you can consider it a museum as well. It is a wonderful place with groovy people and a couple of very sociable dogs.