Curiosities

At the end of Wickenden, on the corner of Gano, there's a tiny little shop called Curiosities. It's about the size of my kitchen and so packed full of antiques a minimalist would sponatenously bleed from the eyes. It's my new favorite place!
The propietors make the best of their limited space by layer the merchandise - a box of buttons rests ontop of a tin lunchbox which rests ontop of something else. Wooden printer type trays lean against mirrors and empty frames. The tea cups and depression glasses tower precariously. You've gotta dig, but that's half the fun. If you want neat layouts of shiny new crap, go to the mall.
I went in a few weeks ago with le boyfrog just to browse and we left with an early Christmas present. I had spent weeks on Craigslist and eBay looking for an antique cathedral radio (boyfrog's favorite style) with no luck (unless I had hundreds of dollars or didn't mind that half the top was missing). I took the corner in this place and saw one sitting on the counter, working condition, $32.
Now, you'd think that when you gasp, "ohmygod honey go outside now!" that a man would listen, but apparently he's got those instincts that told him to look up inquiringly. Nevermind that I didn't have a plan beyond that moment. But it was so much more fun that he'd seen it, and we also left with a cute story to tell.

The lovely woman behind the counter (a friend of the out-of-town owners) showed us that it did indeed work. We told her we were moving in together in the spring and this would make an awesome display piece, and she offered to give us a discount. As boyfrog and I worked together to untangle wires and follow the cord to unplug, she judged that if we could handle electrical cords together, we would make it together (apparently she witnessed a big spat between a couple once. Methinks that was about more than a cord).
Seriously, forget the mall. Support local businesses, get better quality, have more fun. Start at Curiosities.