Y'all, I'll be honest. I drove past this building more times than I can count and never stopped, because I couldn't tell what it was. Big mistake. The Benton Marketplace, right on the square in downtown Benton, is full of treasures, both new and old, and I can't believe I waited this long to go in.
You'll find it at 1026 Main Street, and it's open seven days a week, so it's an easy add to just about any day of your trip to Kentucky Lake.
Over 50 Booths of Treasures
Inside, there are more than 50 booths filled with vintage, antique, and brand-new merchandise for your home. That mix is what makes it so much fun. One booth might have a stack of old farmhouse dishes, and the next has fresh home decor you'd find in a boutique. It's the kind of place where you walk in for "just a look" and walk out an hour later with an armload and a plan for a spot on your shelf. (Why do I always gravitate toward punch bowl sets, y’all?)
It's owned by Paul and Elizabeth Rohrer, and if you've been around Benton a while, you might remember it from previous names and owners - The Benton Antique Exchange and later Antiques Etc.
A Building with a Story
I love buildings with history, and this one has plenty. It was built in 1892 as The Benton Hotel, a place for visitors arriving by train to rest a spell. The first floor held a dry goods store. Later, the building became a department store called The National Store. When that closed, its antique era began, and it's been a treasure-hunting spot ever since.
Think about that while you're wandering the booths. People have been coming through those doors for well over a hundred years, just like you.
Make a Day of It
Benton's square is a sweet little stop on its own, so give yourself time to stroll. While you're there, pop into Birdie's Books and Beans, the cute independent bookstore with a coffee shop built in. Grab some lunch from Cafe de Fae, and save room for dessert, because Semper Sweets has a seasonal ice cream flavor that's worth the stop. Then circle back to the Marketplace if something caught your eye and you couldn't stop thinking about it. Does this happen to other people, too?
It's a short drive from The Lakehouse Inn at Sledd Creek, so it works for a rainy afternoon, a girls' trip, or a quiet morning when you'd rather browse than be on the water. Just check hours before you head over, especially around the holidays. Come back to your room at the Inn with your new finds, kick off your shoes, and decide where everything's going to go.
See y'all at the lake!
Cindi
The Lakehouse Inn at Sledd Creek 270-362-4254 | https://lakehouseinn.com
Updated 11.9.26