IN BOWLING Green, there’s a business where nostalgia meets affordability.
Nikki Davis owns and operates the Consignment Corner, which opened in 2008 and has become a staple for locals looking for unique finds, hidden gems, and bargains.
Running this business is something that is rooted in Davis’ blood and past.
“Once you do what we do, which we always call ‘junkin’,’ most junkers will tell you once it’s in your blood, it’s just something you like to do,” Davis said.
It’s a pastime she often shared with her mother.
“We used to go yard selling and go to auctions, and I just loved it. And I always said I wanted to open the consignment store one day,” she said.
Inside the store, shelves are neatly arranged with antiques, vintage clothing, home decor, and rare collectibles.
Her original space was only 2,500 square feet, and Davis quickly needed to expand. She acquired the building across the street, which offered an expansive 11,000 square feet.
“It was a big jump, and after a lot of talking and thoughts and prayers, it’s like, either go big or go home,” she said.
She purchased the 17,000-square-foot building she’s in now in 2021. But right when she was set to open in December, a tornado hit that Saturday.
“We didn’t get to open on time,” Davis said. “It blew out a couple of windows. It blew out every piece of furniture. The winds were so crazy, a cushion got stuck up in the ceiling.”
She closed for a week to clean up and reopened the following weekend.
“A lot of my vendors came in and helped us clean up everything,” she said.
Despite the challenges, Davis has remained committed to creating a space where everyone feels welcome.
“I don’t care if you’ve got 50 cents in your pocket or you want to spend $500, you are able to come in this store and find something,” she said.
The main level of the shop is all consignment, consisting mainly of furniture and home decor, but downstairs is what customers tend to call the “mini-mall,” which hosts more than 50 vendors with booth spaces of their own.
“We have very good vendors who work their booths, keep everything looking good, and keep their prices low,” she said.
Davis added that because Bowling Green is a college town where students attend Western Kentucky University, that clientele has become a large part of her business.
“You can tell when the kids are in town and when they’re on break,” she laughed.
She wants to make secondhand shopping an inclusive experience for everyone — whether they’re collectors, bargain hunters, or simply looking to relive cherished memories.
“This reminds me of my childhood. There’s stuff in here that when I was growing up, my parents had this, or my grandmother had it – it brings back memories and positive memories,” Davis said.
She attributes her success and inspiration to her late mother.
“My mother was my inspiration, and I lost her a few years ago,” she said, choking up. “But now my dad is a part of it, and that’s really special.”
She loves that the inventory is ever-changing, creating a different experience for visitors each time they enter the store.
“I love the thrill of the hunt, the thrill of the sale, and just finding stuff,” Davis said. GN
Visit Consignment Corner at 1100 U.S. 31 W. Bypass in Bowling Green or follow them on Facebook.
