Gone are the days of needing to hunt through bargain bins or navigate labyrinthine antique malls to find the next vintage gem for your home or closet— curated resale shops have done the hard part for customers.
Whether you’re on the hunt for classic vintage decor, a funky tasseled jacket or a fur coat worthy of a Sopranos cameo, you can find it at the Atomic Shop, located in the heart of Clintonville.
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Sisters Marek and Temple Miller are hardly secondhand novices. Their mother took part in vintage shopping and curation before the trend swept the internet—and your local Goodwill—by storm. “We all grew up going to flea markets or garage sales … My mom started it all, really,” Temple says.
The sisters are Columbus natives but moved to the south in 2011, during which time Temple started dipping her toe into the vintage resale market. When they returned to Ohio in 2022, they were ready to dive into the deep end.
They approached Between State, a design company next to what was then Boomerang Room Vintage, and asked if they could use their parking lot space for a miniature market. The Atomic brand was born, as was their popular market series Atomic on High, which has grown exponentially over the past four years, featuring multiple vintage vendors as well as artists, live music, food options and more. They moved into the former Boomerang space in March 2024 after the owners offered it to them when deciding to downsize. Boomerang is now located directly next to Atomic.
If you’ve strolled through Clintonville, you may have noticed the multiple vintage stores in close proximity. This doesn’t create any competition, the sisters say, but instead offers a unique opportunity for collaboration and attracting more customers.
“It’s honestly perfect,” says Temple. “The more antique and vintage stores around, the more of that shopper we bring, and it becomes a destination rather than one store.” They also note that the concentration of antique vendors allows them to send their customers across the street if they’re looking for a specific item Atomic doesn’t carry, and vice versa.
Marek lives in Georgia and manages Atomic’s behind-the-scenes affairs, including coming into town regularly to help organize the markets. You’re likely to see Temple on your visit, though even if you miss her, the store closely mirrors her interests and aesthetics.
“Curation wise, I go with my gut,” she says. “There’s no method to the madness.” That aesthetic tends towards eclectic and Americana. The sisters source from customers as well as through travel, and Marek often brings back pieces she finds in Georgia.
Not only do the sisters tout sustainability in their secondhand stock, but also individuality. “People are treating their bodies more like art,” Temple says. “They want statement pieces that stand out. They want to share who they are with other people. And fashion is the easiest way to translate that.”
Atomic On High
The next Atomic On High will be held Aug. 16 directly next to the Atomic Shop. There will also be markets Sept. 20 and Oct. 18, as well as a collaboration with Understory at 2571 Neil Ave., Old North Columbus, on Aug. 10. For more information, visit atomiconhigh.com
This story appeared in the August 2025 issue of Columbus Monthly. Subscribe here.
This article originally appeared on Columbus Monthly: Clintonville Antique Store, The Atomic Shop, Sells Unique Home and Fashion Finds
Reporting by Lucy Clark, Columbus Monthly / Columbus Monthly
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