A Peek Inside Grandeur’s Antiques & Boutique
Written by Diane Helentjaris | Photos by Sherri Holdridge
It is the dress of dreams, direct from Camelot. Black over scarlet silk. A long-sleeved top attached to a tulip-shaped high-low bottom. Yves Saint Laurent knew his fabric; the black velvet purrs under your thumb like a Persian kitten, and the watermark silk skirt is weighted with luxury. It feels fitting that Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis’ gown is waiting for new ownership in Middleburg, the village she knew so well. Someone’s going to buy it from the Boutique at Grandeur, and it might as well be you.
If you miss out on Jackie’s dress, never fear — owner Rachel Cara has also garnered the Rose Marie Bogley Collection for her clients. The world-class equestrienne is remembered for many extraordinary attributes and accomplishments, including her style and elegance. Cara says, “There is a photograph of her with Oscar de la Renta. He made a special dress for her.”
Maybe you’d like to take the pheasant-feathered pillbox hat home. Strategically placed teal and red-tipped feathers carry it beyond the ordinary. Or one of Cara’s Hermès scarves might catch your eye. She says, “They tell a story.”
The Boutique at Grandeur is newly opened on West Washington Street in Middleburg. Stocked with timeless pieces of high-end designer fashion, shoppers can put together entire outfits from head to toe — hats and handbags, tops and bottoms, shoes and perfume. And then, pick a vintage Louis Vuitton piece of luggage to transport these treasures around the world. The shop’s inventory, all secondhand, showcases the work of designers Bill Blass, Chanel, and more.
Cara is tapping into the growing popularity of vintage clothing. Usually defined as clothing made at least 20 years ago, these outfits often offer more durable fabrics and construction than what’s readily found today. Fans of yesterday’s clothing welcome the opportunity to reuse as an environmentally friendly option, a way to reduce their carbon footprint. The nostalgic and classic styles are also major drivers in the trend toward vintage.
Shoppers can explore more next door at Grandeur Antiques, Cara’s first shop. After years of doing antique shows and estate work, she “wanted a brick-and-mortar store” and opened Grandeur Antiques last December. “I think I dreamed my whole life of having a boutique or store.”
Cara “wanted it to be a really pretty place.” She has kept the vibe and décor consistent across both shops. To enhance the time-traveling experience of customers, music from previous eras plays in the background — from 1920s orchestral dance music to smoky contralto solos from the ’30s. Even the candies in the bowl by the ornate turn-of-the-century cash register are old-timey, handmade chocolate bars from Kentucky.
The antiques are predominantly from the 1830s through the 1930s. Cara leans heavily into ornamental gold French style, but does not neglect the world of the hunt. Overhead are Parisian chandeliers. Nods to the sporting world abound with paintings and prints of horses, hunting, dogs, and more. A mounted elk head sits atop a display case. Across the room, a mounted fox waits to be picked up by its new owner.
The hand of a deft curator speaks clearly here. Buying expeditions into the Shenandoah and down along the Blue Ridge to find new pieces have been frequent. As a result, Cara can recite the name and location of just about any hamlet perched on the Blue Ridge’s shoulders. This summer, she will travel to France to seek out more Gallic treasures.
Rachel Cara wants everyone to know that “this is a special place to come to, to shop. You don’t have to travel far for high-end pieces, whether it be jewelry, accessories, handbags, or clothes. If you’re looking for a special piece for your home or a special gift for someone,” you can find it at Grandeur Antiques.
Cara also offers help with estate sales. To learn more, visit her website, grandeurantiques.com. ML
Published in the May 2026 issue of Middleburg Life.