Just for the atmosphere and spectacle

[Skip]

There is one SAL in Newark NJ I've been to twice when I went to airport. When I stepped in there I felt like I was taking a step back in time to the 70s.  It’s hard to give over the feeling but I'll try.  Firstly, the fact that it was located inner city set the tone off the bat. Secondly, the place was kind of gritty and a little helter-skelter unlike most of today’s TS.  They had a lot of vintage records and some old couches in the back of the store. There was a black guy in army fatigue sitting near the counter in a wheel chair (cause he was missing his legs) just smiling peacefully. It kind of looked like that was how he spends his days. Then there was the Hispanic lady behind that counter that resembled Maria from Sesame Street. While I was there a heavy set black lady in her fifties sporting a flamboyant hat walked in and wished everyone good morning in her very African American vernacular . Apparently a regular. Reminded me of aunt Esther from Sanford and Son.  To top it all off they were playing WCBS FM 101.1 which plays classic hits and oldies and I love it when they do that. Nothing better than listening to the Jackson 5 in a thirft store like that!  Suffice it to say I felt like I was stoned. I loved being there just for the atmosphere and spectacle.

[brianrhc]

KOOL, Skip! BTW, my (up to now) favorite local TS just moved from an old open floor-plan bldg. (think Dime Store) to a smaller Boutique building (think townhouse) and dumped the unusual stuff to focus on... mostly Boutique-y stuff, plus they have a small "boutique" next door for supposed high-end clothes. VERY disappointing, esp. as it's a charity store, but I'll be passing on that store and going more to the mega-TS that "supports vets" but appears to be for-profit, usually has low prices, wide selection, unusual stuff.

[FleaQueen]

I wonder if that's the one I see from the window when I'm on the NJ Transit train to New York. 

www.fullservicebohemian.blogspot.com

[Skip]

Didn't notice and subway lines nearby it.  If this works here is a google view of it.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=salvation+army+newark+nj&aq=&sll=45.790333,9.489837&sspn=13.666173,28.168945&ie=UTF8&hq=salvation+army&hnear=Newark,+Essex,+New+Jersey&ll=40.770272,-74.154282&spn=0,0.110035&z=13&layer=c&cbll=40.768507,-74.163585&panoid=r0neYKryo4m7rtxuh9XgGQ&cbp=12,287.35,,0,10.51

[Big Daddy Audio]

Skip -

If it's your bag, have a few White Castles for me, will ya?  Thanks.

- Big Daddy Audio

[Skip]

BDA,  I catch your drift man!

[GatorDude]

Thrift stores are the coolest when they are surreal.  Lately, I've been on a nick-nack safari (taking pictures of nicknacks) while my wife shops.

[Big Daddy Audio]

Hey - If you can, please post some of the pictures on a thread called:

KNICK KNACK SAFARI

I bet others on this forum will wind up contributing as well.

[Skip]

I am glad you used the word surreal. Since, although I didn't use it in my post that is exactly how it felt and did use that word explaining it to "Mom".

[GatorDude]

Sometimes I like to look at the old stuff and play while my wife shops with more intensity.  I'll put together old electronics, read some of the books, take safari pictures, etc. 

Here are some of the things I do to pass the time at the thrift store:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8198993/fun_things_to_do_at_the_thrift_store.html?cat=46