Glenwood Antique Mall — Attraction in Overland Park

I love antiquing because older items were often made better, and I try to avoid sending more to the landfill. Glenwood Antique Mall has been one of my favorite places to shop for that reason—I’ve found some wonderful pieces here over the years.

Unfortunately, today I had an experience that left me shaken and disgusted. After I finished paying, an older white woman working there at the counter began telling me a story about someone selling a gun in a Walmart parking lot. She made a point to mention the buyer was a Black man. When I asked why his race was relevant, she responded, “Those are the ones you have to watch out for. Black men.”

I told her that kind of racist talk was unacceptable and walked out. But after a moment, I realized her employer should know what kind of things she’s saying to customers. I returned and asked for a manager, and she told me there was none—just that “he was home with his daughter.”

It’s 2025. No one should have to hear overtly racist comments while shopping. I’m deeply disappointed and disturbed that this kind of hate is being casually shared in a place I used to enjoy.

As Google Reviews does not have a system in place to respond to a business’s response, I’m editing my review to add my response.:

Thank you for your response, Kirsten. I’d like to clarify a few important things. Because despite the attempt to reframe what happened, your response does not address the seriousness of what was said to me.

Yes, I did raise my voice and ask for a manager. That was because after being told, “Those are the ones you have to watch out for. Black men,” I felt unsafe, disturbed, and frankly, disrespected. I had just made a purchase. I was polite. I didn’t ask for any story. Yet what I received was overtly racist commentary, spoken casually and without shame.

Whether the original story was about a teenager, a gun, or Facebook Marketplace is not the issue. What matters is that she racialized the threat. Saying, “Black men are the ones you have to watch out for” reinforces a dangerous and deeply harmful stereotype that Black men are inherently suspicious or violent. That kind of rhetoric is not only racist—it puts lives in danger. We live in a country where Black men are disproportionately surveilled, criminalized, and harmed—sometimes fatally—based on this very kind of thinking. It is not harmless storytelling. It is part of a system of bias and violence.

I also want to address the notion that having a Black friend, employee, or manager somehow shields someone from being racist. It does not. Saying, “I can’t be racist—I have a Black best friend,” is a deflection and a well-known form of dismissal used to avoid accountability. Racism is about behavior, language, and impact; not who someone claims to know or care about.

As for the comment about my “behavior,” I find it disappointing that more concern was shown over my tone than the racist comment that caused it. I did not yell profanities, threaten anyone, or behave violently. I raised my voice to call out harm, because I felt it needed to be named; especially in a space I had previously trusted.

I take no joy in writing any of this. I have loved shopping at Glenwood Antique Mall over the years. But your response missed an opportunity to take accountability, to reflect, and to ensure your space truly feels safe and inclusive for everyone. Dismissing my experience as being “overly animated” is tone policing. And telling me to have reached out privately rather than publicly implies that your store’s reputation is more important than a customer’s experience with racial harm.

Racism should never be so casual. Nor should...

I am writing this review as both a frequent shopper and former vendor at Glenwood Antique Mall. Shopping there has been a delight. The store is beautifully set up and staged, with a wide variety of antiques, collectibles and decor at any price point that fits your budget. High quality, curated ladies and mens clothing and accessories, primitives, jewelry, fine glass items, antique and vintage furniture pieces in all sizes, Mid-Century barware and decor, holiday indoor and outdoor decorations (the blow molds!), garden and outdoor decor, sports memorabilia, vintage and contemporary art, ephemera, books ... the list is endless and you are sure to find something you love. For the past few years I've done most of my holiday shopping at Glenwood.

The store is clean and easy to walk, with a great music playlist to accompany your shopping experience. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful, whether you need assistance carrying something to the front, holding items while you continue shopping or assisting in loading your vehicle. They have a wheelchair and walker for those requiring a little more help. The restrooms are clean and monitored throughout the day, and there is a break room in the back with drink and snack vending machines.

From a vendor standpoint, Glenwood works with all its vendors to help them achieve success. They are always willing to answer questions, listen to complaints (of which I had very few) or give advice on staging and pricing. It is by far the best vendor experience I've ever had. Unfortunately, a medical issue prevented my continuing as a vendor or I'd still be there!

Bottom line -- I highly recommend Glenwood Antique Mall if you are looking to shop or sell in the...

We stopped here last time, so we knew it was a good mall. A couple of complaints like come in earlier get that air conditioning going as it was warm big time. Next, they don't call vendors unless it's over 200.00, which I find really bad business for their vendors. Customers & vendors both lose out, as a vendor I would hate this policy. We ended up with several treasures. Definitely worth the stop if you're in town. Most of the staff were helpful, need a little training on wrapping items for customers. The staff was warm and welcoming when we walked into the store. The only disappointment was no mall walkers, so you have to stop and go up to the desk to drop...