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THE GREAT INDOORS: Local bargain stores you've never heard of
The Great Indoors recently discussed amateur designer and interior blogger Ashley Hannan and her knack for creating one-of-a-kind pieces out of thrift store finds and bargain basement goodies. If you don't know where to look, though, finding unique, functional items can be tricky. To make your hunt easier I did some research to dig up some of Philly's lesser-known one-of-a-kind havens of DIY-able finds.
THE GREAT INDOORS: Local bargain stores you've never heard of
Reporter Meg Augustin takes you inside some of Philly's most fab dwellings to showcase our city's unique grasp on design and architecture.
The Great Indoors recently discussed amateur designer and interior blogger Ashley Hannan and her knack for creating one-of-a-kind pieces out of thrift store finds and bargain basement goodies. If you don’t know where to look, though, finding unique, functional items can be tricky. To make your hunt easier I did some research to dig up some of Philly's lesser-known one-of-a-kind havens of DIY-able finds.
The Newbie Recently opened in the up-and-coming Passyunk Square area, Era-Atomica is a showcase of everything quirky. Owners Stacey and Michael Barthaletti opened shop when their own home’s mid-century collection was getting too big. Now collecting from the best estate sales and auctions, the duo has come to be the go-to for quirky finds ranging from Deco and Eames-style mid-century to '70s shag. The shop is laid out like a home — dining room, living room and family room spaces — which not only gives buyers ideas but provides the shop with a approachable homey feel that Stacey looks for. 1726 E. Passyunk Ave., 215-551-2345, era-atomica.com.
The Good Eye Only a shuffle down the Schuylkill and you will find Phantastic Phinds, a popular consignment shop in the Chestnut Hill area. The store offers in-shop items as well as an online store for buyers near and far. And while the showroom does feature some beautiful finds, the most unique feature of owner Angela Sipe’s space is her designer’s eye. Most pieces are accompanied by a helpful design mag feature that shows buyers how, with a little ingenuity, an old antique can be turned into a high-style show piece. 631 Bethlehem Pike, Erdenheim, 215-233-3325, phantasticphinds.com.
The Popular Kid While Three Potato Four isn't one of the lesser-known stops in the list, their barn sales might be. Featured on Apartment Therapy and Design Sponge, Janet Morales & Stu Eli’s school house collections were originally based in Virginia and could only be purchased online. Since their 2010 move to Philly, the couple has opened a brick-and-mortar shop in Manayunk where they host monthly sales on their tremendous finds. Their barn sales, occurring the last weekend of every month, are the perfect time to dig through the couple’s envious finds while you get advice from the pros themselves. The couple is currently hosting a week-long Movie Warehouse Sale featuring items they found on movie sets. It's running through Sept. 10. 376 Shurs Lane, Bldg A, 267-335-3633, threepotatofourshop.com.
The Hidden Gem The Great Antique Warehouse sounds like a place you would notice, but in fact, this place is quite the hidden gem. Co-owner Karl Karr has been doing the best apartment and home cleanout service in Phila Co. for years, making him the go-to for estate sales across the county. His collection spans three floors of a Germantown factory building. When he met Gayle Serle, a New York-based decorator, she soon became a part-time store decorator who turned the space into a holding cell of the best finds. Whether you're looking for a unique sofa set, an antique dresser or interesting art, Karr and Serle will have it. The team also rewires lamps or creates them from found objects while a fall design intern gets old radios and fans in working condition. 48 W. Queen Lane, 215-870-5028, facebook.com/pages/Serle-Karr-Antiques.
The City Collection An apartment building is probably the last place you would think to find a stellar consignment shop, but Made You Look did just that, finding a home at the 2601 Parkway Apartments. The small shop takes advantage of its proximity to city dwellers by collecting the best home-owner pieces. The boutique overflows with major finds running from Erte (Art-Deco fashion artist) prints and decorative plates and colonial dining chairs to French wrought-iron works and contemporary sofas. The collection changes weekly, making a visit to the store a constant delight. 2601 Pennsylvania Ave., 215-235-2386, facebook.com/pages/Made-You-Look-Upscale-Consignment.
The Designer’s Showcase Farther out, but not to be missed, is Norristown-based consignment shop Vintage Now. The 6,000-square-foot showroom is arranged in varied and eclectic vignettes, allowing buyers to see the full potential in each piece. While certainly not considered thrift, the collection does offer exquisite pieces seen in design showcases the world over. Owners Kerri Farragut and Amy Tyrrell seamlessly show off vintage pieces — spanning the 20th century market — with new accents like pillows from Kevin O’Brien Studio. 901 E. Main Street, Suite B, Norristown, vintage-now.com.
The Hit-Or-Miss While it’s not a store, per se, the Fairmount Flea Market is a lesser-known chance to get that perfect vintage find. The market, which goes down about twice a year around Eastern State Penitentiary, somehow attracts sellers from around Philly who are offering their best basement finds for unheard-of prices. Why is it hit-or-miss? Because you could miss out by not getting there soon enough or strike gold if you are an early bird. With almost 200 vendors, leaving with just one great find is hard to do. And did I mention you can haggle. Sat., Sept 10th, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Eastern State Penitentiary, 22nd Street and Fairmount Avenue, philafleamarkets.org.
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