Patina is owned and operated by Mollie Messimer and Chris Ide who–along with 20 savvy vendors and enthusiastic Icelandic Sheepdog greeters–create a memorable shopping experience in the heart of downtown Lewisburg, West Virginia.


Mollie is retired from a 40 year career in education, teaching all levels from kindergarten through Ph.D. and serving as a Licensed Professional Counselor at colleges in Virginia and at the WV School of Osteopathic Medicine. Through her love of vintage treasure hunting and a commitment to the environment, Mollie began a hobby secondhand business with booths at the Antique Mall in Lexington,Virginia and at Fortunate Finds and Patina in Lewisburg. Little did she imagine store ownership! But, LOL, that’s where her retirement path veered in October 2018.


Are you a local? Chris is! He grew up in western Greenbrier County in the tiny town called Smoot. After college at WVU, Chris pursued a living as a builder and has many unique houses, home renovations, and custom woodworking projects to his name. Along the way, Chris raised a son, coached the high school chess club, built guitars, and co-created a bird feeder that made the Guiness Book of World Records for its enormity. Little did Chris imagine his future with Icelandic Sheepdogs and store ownership! But, LOL, he met Mollie and one thing led to another as happens in life, and now he’s the nice guy behind the counter at Patina, the bone fide local who has shown a dog at Westminster and can fix anything.