Photo by Jesse Chambers.
Joel Harris inside his store, Ruffner Relics.
It’s not hard to understand why Roebuck Springs resident Joel Harris has sold antiques for 20 years.
“I come from a family of pickers and junkers, so it’s kind of in the blood,” said Harris, a Dothan native. “I’ve always been taught to keep my eye out for strange, interesting things.”
And Harris, who formerly sold at antique shows, now has his own storefront: Ruffner Relics, which he opened in May at 8041 Rugby Ave.
A University of Montevallo graduate who moved to Birmingham in 2008, Harris called his 3,500-square-foot store “a mix of everything from fine china to vinyl records” and believes it fits well in the historic East Lake neighborhood. “It’s eclectic and very diverse, just like the community,” he said.
The store has books, housewares, furniture, work by local artists and many other treasures.
Harris loves the store’s variety. “It’s ‘Sanford and Son’ meets Sotheby’s,” he said. “There’s old farm tools, and there’s 150-year-old Spode china.”
The constant novelty and turnover is another plus for Harris.
“I do estate liquidation, so I never know what I’m going to get, so that’s the excitement of the business,” he said. “Every week I’m getting new stuff.”
