Milly Rose, downtown Minden icon, to close antique shop

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Her radiant personality shines as soon as a customer walks through the door.

She might show her customers the latest in what can be best described as an eclectic collection of antiques or she might break out into a song. Milly Rose Frizzelle is famous for her vibrant personality and her store Second Hand Rose Antiques.

Sadly, she will be closing in about 10 days. In that time, she will host a big close-out sale to move inventory before closing the doors for one last time.

As she waited on customers Wednesday, offering a cold drink or showing an item they asked to see, she says she is sad to be closing a business that has been a part of her life for more than 30 years.

“My health has been very, very poor the last four years, and it’s just getting harder and harder to do this six days a week,” she said. “I absolutely love what I do for a living. It’s the precious friends that I meet in the antique shop. They literally become my lifelong friends. Some people have shopped with me for 20 or 25 years, and we really become family. That’s the best part the antique business, the quality people that you meet.”

Frizzelle moved her business to its current location, the Crichton/Temple building, 14 years ago. With four floors of antiques, her 38-year collection has a little something for everyone. From the Elvis collection at the front of the store, the Coca-Cola memorabilia to the massive collection of jewelry, antique china and first edition books, Frizzelle has been able to offer customers a true feel of life in the past.
Second Hand Rose Antiques, she says, means “a perfect peace and happiness” to her.

“It’s making my customers laugh and singing their favorite songs and sharing the love of Jesus every day,” she said. “It’s been a wonderful refuge for me.”

She is also a licensed appraiser and works with families and their estates.

Frizzelle says she has been blessed as the movie industry in Minden boomed. She says she’s had seven major movie stars shop with her, among them Jessica Simpson.

“Jessica Simpson sings the whole time she’s in here,” she said. “I feel like I’m getting a free concert. She’s a very sweet, down to earth person. She’s a smart woman.”

The late Michael Clark Duncan and Ice Cube, are among others, along with the prop masters, producers and directors who have shopped with her.

Frizzelle says she has enjoyed having the recent tour groups from Canada come into her shop, and they seemed delighted to shop with her and listen to her sing.

“I had 52 Canadians in here at one time,” she said. “It was an amazing group, and they love Minden. They always loved hearing about the movie stars.”

She gave a special mention to Tourism Executive Director Lynn Dorsey for her support of not only her shop but of showcasing Minden and Webster Parish as a tourist destination.

“She’s been a dear friend to me,” she said. “It’s been a lot of fun and I’m humbled by that. She’s worked very hard to get people to come to our beautiful city.”

Frizzelle has also been named north Louisiana’s Ambassador of Love and Goodwill by then Gov. Bobby Jindal and then Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne.

As she closes one chapter in her life, she will continue with her ministry in Minden and in Magnolia, Arkansas, she said, as well as her music with her husband, David. And as she focuses on her health, she will be spending more time with her family as well.

“Grandchildren are very important,” she said. “Being so ill, I haven’t gotten to spend much time with them, but I love them. They are so precious. Life is much better with grandchildren, and I’ve coped with this illness far, far better having precious grandchildren.”

As she prepares to close the store, shoppers will enjoy an array of antiques from fine linens, music, memorabilia, furniture, housewares and much, much more. Second Hand Rose Antiques is located in downtown Minden at 509 Main St., next door to Habacu’s Mexican Restaurant.