There will be magic in the mountains of north Georgia the week of July 1 when Black Bear Antiques and Interiors officially opens its doors to the public. The 21,000-square-foot antique mall is located at 4177 East 1st St. in Blue Ridge. Just look for the 14-foot-tall, 500-pound bronze bear standing outside. Hes inviting folks to come on in and browse. Black Bear Antiques is not a new business. It was a destination in nearby Ellijay for tourists and shoppers seeking quality antiques and collectibles for 15 years, but when the opportunity arose to snap up the anchor tenant spot in a perfectly located strip center in Blue Ridge, The Ahlers Group (the Atlanta-based firm that owns Black Bear Antiques) pounced. We had occupied our Ellijay location since 2008, when we first opened Black Bear Antiques, said Kris Triplett, director of Retail Operations for The Ahlers Group. We were proud to serve the Ellijay community, but we just felt that now was the right time to freshen things up in beautiful Blue Ridge. Also, its larger than our previous location, so we can spread out a bit. The new facility will serve as the new home for 80 dealers, offering locally sourced and locally made goods, interiors and cabin dcor, woodworking and crafts, antiques, collectibles and more. The merchandise is in a wide variety, said Triplett, so whether youre a seasoned collector, a design enthusiast, or a curious explorer, theres something for everyone. The decision to move from Ellijay to Blue Ridge was a fairly easy one for The Ahlers Group. Blue Ridge seems to have it all, from the beautiful mountains to the lake, furthered Triplett. The town boasts a charming downtown and Main Street, amazing fall festivals and a booming cabin market. There really is not a season or time to be in Blue Ridge anymore, since it now accommodates locals and visitors year-round. Black Bear Antiques will be located off GA-515, a two-minute drive from downtown Blue Ridge and a block from the Main Street. Its also a 5- to 7-minute drive from Lake Blue Ridge. The bronze bear, weighing more than 500 pounds, previously stood outside the Ellijay location and has made the move to Blue Ridge. The Ellijay store is closed. The new location was previously a thrift store and, before that, an Ingles grocery store. Black Bear Antiques is a member of the Blue Ridge Chamber. The two will partner for a planned grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony the week of July 15 For more information, visit www.blackbearantiques.com.