Mema Had One

Oh my gosh, I love kitsch. Anytime I drive past a shop with hand painted signs for anything like fruit, antiques, auctions-​you know I’m there! I had no idea what a «mema» was until I started watching Big Bang Theory and then a lightbulb clicked in my head and I was raring to go. I never got enough yard sales and thrift shops living in a large city so I watched «American Pickers» with hungry jealous eyes. I’ll never be able to restore a Triumph or find any use for a lantern but I sure like looking at that sort of thing.
Set some time aside to really get in there and paw through the selection of interesting goods they’ve got. I’d spent 2 hours looking for an interesting tchotchke to send my mother-​in-​law and found so much more stuff for myself. I felt like Alice In Wonderland with all the doors leading to more and more interesting rooms. They have separate areas devoted to toys, kitchenwares, a basement filled with furniture, war memorabilia, clothes, unique signs and posters and of course, a throw back Coke machine. I found myself asking my husband, «what’s this? what’s this?» to relics such as a washing board, a hand mixer, a clothes press and various torture devices designed to make womens lives miserable.
You’ve gotta come frequently if you’re looking for something specific ’cause it’s not like they know what’s in their inventory all the time but they consistently get more and more trash thats’ considered someone else’s treasure.
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I just moved to the area and found this place on Unilocal.What a great place! I could’ve spent all day in there and still not have looked at everything! Upstairs downstairs outside the other downstairs. this place is packed full of everything you could imagine. the prices are GREAT! I was just floored by the prices, I wanted one of everything! the furniture was all beautiful. I’ll be going back again and again!

While I am a native Augustian (sort of), I was never really into thrift/​antique stores growing up. I can’t say how long this place has been around, only that I was interested in visiting some cool antique stores before I went back to Atlanta to my usual antique stores.
This place is a maze. When I first walked it, it seemed really small and cramped and I was a little disappointed. But the more I explored, the more intrigued I became. The first room, when you enter, seems to sell a lot of local honey/​jam/​stuff. And the adjacent room offered a few things that I was mildly interested in, but not enough to really look. The adjacent room from THAT room seems to be the only one that offers a wide selection of clothes. There’s a center rack full of dresses and two side racks, one that has intimate wear/​swim suits/​scarves and another that has pants/​skirts/​blouses. There’s also shoes and hats. I am inclined to consider vintage anything from the 70s and before, but the clothes was brimming with tons of 80s wear. Poufy sleeves, sequins, billowy ruffles. There were also some 70s clothes like some sweet bell bottoms and a cute sundress or two. As for what I was really seeking (40s-​50s clothes), there wasn’t much of a selection. A previous customer had grabbed up a few of the only cute vintage finds in my size (most of the clothes were too big for my size 3 body), which is life, I suppose. But we started up a repartee about the clothes there, and in the end, she ended up forgoing the swimsuit and even letting me know. It was a perfect 1950s one piece, and it made me swoon. To top it all off, all of the clothing was 40% off, so I got that vintage swimsuit for a real steal.
Other than that, there were rooms upon rooms upon rooms. When I thought that I was done finding new rooms, I found out that there was a basement. And a second story. There was even a sign saying there were more things outside, though I didn’t venture out. And there was a plethora of things to find. Some treasures, some very much so junk. There were a lot of old, rusted tools, signs, and vintage books falling apart, but on the other hand, there were also some really neat things too. Vintage teacups, toys, Playboys, an old-​style Coke machine that still works, glasses, and a good deal more. The record section was a bit paltry, but had some sort of 4-​for-​$ 1 deal going on, though I didn’t find much that interested me. There were also pretty decent sales. The two vendors I purchased from each had a 40% off sale, so I got that adorable bathing suit and some vintage tea cups for very reasonable prices. A great little antique shop, though I’m not sure how good the turnover rate for new items is.

I’m a regular customer to Mema Had One but was very disappointed by the attitude regarding the shipping of a small mirror from their store to Savannah, Georgia. Not large enought to worry about, not small enough to fret over. Doesn’t take much effort to pack securely and insure something against breakage. This was going to be a very special Valentine’s Day gift for someone and really would have made it all that more special. I expressed that I was a regular customer but apparently to the «owner,» it had no bearing. So sad, too bad, unlikely I’ll return…

Came here the day before my mom & I visited a Masters Practice Round based on Unilocal reviews for something interesting to do/​visit in Augusta. Very cute, interesting things for sale. Wish I could’ve afforded one of the vintage mirrors I came across, as well as the Masters memorabilia for sale. Had a great conversation with the ladies working the front as they gave us a LOT of suggestions for dining/​things to do. MUCH more helpful than the hotel employees where we stayed.

Really cute place. I love their selection of outdoor décor, and the inside shop is a never-​ending maze of cute finds. From what I saw, the prices seemed reasonable as well.
My only gripe is that the customer service was definitely lacking. We walked in and were given a lukewarm ‘hello’ and a half-​hearted glance. The lady didn’t ask if we’d been before or needed help finding anything in particular. When we left, she didn’t look up, thank us for coming, or even say bye.
I’ll be back, but I definitely won’t expect service with a smile.
ETA: I’ve been back several times and the service has varied. One man in particular is always very nice & cheerful, and that’s appreciated. :-)

I absolutely love this place! I have never been to a antique store like this… so unique. They are very helpful and they know everything about antiques. Will be going back many more times!

Mema Had One (MHO) is an «American Pickers» wet dream of antiques, vintage clothing and knick-​knacks. The owners had such an addiction to buying antiques that they started a business, which means they do the hard work for you.
— Large varied selection
— Three stories of fun
— Reasonable prices
— Friendly owners
— New items added often
— Customer oriented
— Vintage, vintage, vintage
When first walked into Mema Had One I gasped «Oh, good Lord». Ever since my first visit I have been excited to drop-​in and look around for new additions any time I am near Washington Road. MHO has such a variety of things from kitchenware, storage, clothes, records, books and miscellaneous finds. There is really something for everyone and if you don’t believe me, I’ll let you ask my friend Adam who picked up a Centurion statue for half the price you’d see anywhere else. Now Barnabus has a new home on a solid pillar in his living room.
I recommend you at least pop-​in to burn some time, the owners are fantastic to speak with and could talk antiques all day. They have thought through the entire setup from viewing through purchase. They have a sweet iPad checkout and unique decorated bags for your purchase. Everything screams Mema Had One.