Curated, vintage and eclectic. Those are the words that customers would describe the new State Street antique store that opened its doors on March 8, 2025. Situated right in the heart of the Cayce River Arts District, its location is ideal for the riverwalk and sidewalk strollers.

“We wanted to be in the heart of it all,” owner Tracy Dolenti told the Chronicle. “With our doors right off the Riverwalk, we get a lot of traffic and that's exactly what we sought after for our location.”

After relocating from Florida three years ago, Tracy and her husband made the Midlands their home. After previously owning a consignment store, she wanted to bring a new type of shopping experience to the community. She was drawn to home goods merchandise and the art of decorating, so she worked to bring a business to State Street that would really stand out.

All items in the store are hand-selected by Tracy.

“I find our merchandise through different estate sales, auctions, private sales...it is like a big treasure hunt,” she said. “We also have vendors who sell their goods in the store.”

Vintage antique home pieces, handmade soaps, in-house-made candles and select clothing items line the shelves of the store and make it a unique shopping experience, as the name of the business suggests.

“We want to make our store unique. Just as a bird uses feathers to decorate their nest, we hope that our customers would shop our merchandise to feather their own nest. ... We have had a wonderful response from the community,” Tracy said. “We have been told that a store like the Feathered Nest was needed on this side of town. With the growing popularity of vintage decorating among the younger generation, we have seen a lot of support from them.”

The Feathered Nest is one of the many attractions that are featured along the Cayce River Arts District. This sectioned block of historic downtown Cayce is home to crafty cafes, coffeehouses, stores and much more.

Colorful murals from local artists are showcased along the brick structures and complement the district’s “Art Lot,” which can be reserved for private events. While there was no official opening date for the Cayce River Arts District, the area began to be revitalized in 2017 under Cayce Mayor Elise Partin.

“There is a lot going on down here,” Tracy said. “There are new businesses popping up, new construction and a lot of new families moving to the area. It is my understanding that this area used to be shuttered up...I am so excited to have the Feathered Nest be a part of the new life that is being breathed into this part of town.”