# Most oddly specific retail store **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 25, 2017, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-oddly-specific-retail-store/782981 "2017-03-25T02:58:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2017, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-oddly-specific-retail-store/782981/121 "2017-03-28T17:04:02Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > I’m surprised no one has mentioned vape shops. Like tobacco and marijuana shops (and liquor stores, in some states), these are limited to selling one specific kind of merchandise mostly by state and municipal law, not the owner’s decision to narrowly focus. ---
**Author:** ![Tapiotar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@Tapiotar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapiotar)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2017, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-oddly-specific-retail-store/782981/122 "2017-03-28T18:43:53Z")
> [@Fuji](#): > > :eek: I had no idea such stores actually existed. In fact, I opened this thread just to see if anyone had mentioned one of my favorite fake stores from the Simpsons - [_Just Vinegar_](https://simpsonswiki.com/wiki/Just_Vinegar). It seems like almost every small town has a fancy olive oil and vinegar store these days. I’ve been to the one in Canadaigua, an offshoot of its parent store in Rochester, and another branch opened in Ithaca. Tiny Owego has an oil and vinegar store, and I’ve seen one in Skaneatles, and those are just in central NY State. I’ve seen them in other small cities around the country, too. The flavored olive oils and exquisite balsamic vinegars are delicious, really fine quality and wonderful flavors. But really, how much fancy oil and vinegar can a person use? ---
**Author:** ![Tapiotar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@Tapiotar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapiotar)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2017, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-oddly-specific-retail-store/782981/123 "2017-03-28T18:47:51Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > I visited a store in Seattle that sold nothing but socks. I don’t remember what it was called. (This was in the late 90s, so it might be gone.) The Joy of Sox…I don’t remember if it was in Seattle or Minneapolis, but I do remember the name of the sock store! ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-oddly-specific-retail-store/782981/124 "2017-03-29T05:48:23Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > Olive oil is an odd business. It literally runs like a cross between a cartel and a blood diamond store. Years ago, my ex-father in law (who looks exactly like a real Godfather) got the exclusive contract to distribute Olio Carli in the United States. It is one of the top Italian brands that is delivered door to door in Italy but didn’t exist in the U.S. until then. That started out fine but ended about as well as you can expect with a bunch of Italian businessmen looking to get their cut (no pun intended). > > A large percentage of olive oil is fake, adulterated or mislabeled. Much of it is diluted with lower cost oils or intentionally misgraded. This isn’t a new phenomenon. It has been going on since before Jesus was a thing. > > I can see the need for a store that stands by the purity of their products because some people want that and are willing to pay for it. I’ve heard this too. I use the Paul Newman brand; I figure if any company is going to use the real thing, it’s this one. Let me know if I’m wrong. ETA: I’ve heard similar things about the Canadian maple syrup industry. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-oddly-specific-retail-store/782981/125 "2017-03-29T05:49:36Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > Like tobacco and marijuana shops (and liquor stores, in some states), these are limited to selling one specific kind of merchandise mostly by state and municipal law, not the owner’s decision to narrowly focus. It’s not so much that they exist, but that at least around here, there are so danged many of them. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-oddly-specific-retail-store/782981/126 "2017-03-29T06:29:09Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > I’ve heard this too. I use the Paul Newman brand; I figure if any company is going to use the real thing, it’s this one. Let me know if I’m wrong. According to [this article](http://lifehacker.com/the-most-and-least-fake-extra-virgin-olive-oil-brands-1460894373), researchers at UC Davis tested many brands of olive oil and found Newman’s Own to be one of the brands that did not meet the standards for extra virgin. This only covers olive oil from California, but any bottle that has the [California Olive Oil Council](https://www.cooc.com/) certification seal is guaranteed to be true 100% extra-virgin olive oil. Their certification process involves a taste test as well as purity and oleic acid tests. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-oddly-specific-retail-store/782981/127 "2017-03-29T12:10:25Z")
There have been quite a few stores that sell nothing but Hot Sauce. There used to be one in Boston, but it’s now gone. **Suzie’s Hot Shop** is still going in New Hope, PA, although it’s changed owners. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-oddly-specific-retail-store/782981/128 "2017-03-31T05:27:08Z")
I saw a condom shop in Tokyo. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-oddly-specific-retail-store/782981/129 "2017-03-31T07:15:13Z")
In Wisconsin, they have the National Mustard Museum, which is also a rather specific retail outlet (there is no admission fee). They may sell other things, like some kind of souvenirs, but their product is mustard. And fun. We visited it in Mt. Horeb, but it looks like it has moved to fancier digs near Madison and may have lost some of it absurd charm. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-oddly-specific-retail-store/782981/130 "2017-03-31T12:46:30Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > I’ve heard this too. I use the Paul Newman brand; I figure if any company is going to use the real thing, it’s this one. Let me know if I’m wrong. > > ETA: I’ve heard similar things about the Canadian maple syrup industry. Odd thing about Paul Newman Oil and Vinegar Salad Dressing – I looked at the ingredients on the label, and it has _sugar_ in it! I don’t mean to single out Newman’s. Just about _every_ brand of Oil and Vinegar salad dressing I checked had added sugar. In fact, I turned to the Newman brand because I figured it, because of its reputation, would be better than the others. I was shocked to find that it wasn’t. I’m still amazed at all those brands that added sugar to “Oil and Vinegar” salad dressing. To my mind, the name of it ought to be the same as the list of ingredients – it ought to have Oil and Vinegar in it, and nothing else (except possibly for some preservative, or emulsifier. I’ll cut them that much slack). The only Oil and Vinegar dressings that I found without added sugar were the “Lite” formulations. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-oddly-specific-retail-store/782981/131 "2017-03-31T12:53:05Z")
Anyone else remember the SNL “failing scotch tape store” skit from the late 70’s? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-oddly-specific-retail-store/782981/132 "2017-03-31T13:10:30Z")
> [@Cardigan](#): > > Anyone else remember the SNL “failing scotch tape store” skit from the late 70’s? Sort of like the ‘Change Bank’. “How do we make a profit?, volume” ---
**Author:** ![Crybaby\_Boobie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crybaby_boobie/32/545_2.png) [@Crybaby\_Boobie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crybaby_Boobie)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-oddly-specific-retail-store/782981/133 "2017-03-31T16:14:51Z")
There was a store that only sold Maile mustard down the street from me. But it couldn’t cut it. Lots of people mocked a store that only sold mustard, but it was delicious. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-oddly-specific-retail-store/782981/134 "2017-03-31T17:43:29Z")
While browsing Reddit this week, I came across this photo of a [store that only sells pillows and other softgoods that resemble meat](https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinteresting/comments/626f9o/this_shop_in_berlin_only_sells_pillows_and/). I want one. Bad. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-oddly-specific-retail-store/782981/135 "2017-03-31T18:11:23Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I saw a condom shop in Tokyo. Huh, I once saw a dick in Wal-Mart. Maybe they should get together. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2017, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-oddly-specific-retail-store/782981/136 "2017-04-01T03:02:47Z")
I have a friend who’s business sells springs. Just springs. It’s mostly wholesale for manufacturers and repair shops but it has a tiny retail counter (although you have to ring a bell to get someone to wait on you.) Bring in a spring, damaged or not, and he’ll find a match for it. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2017, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-oddly-specific-retail-store/782981/137 "2017-04-01T14:06:39Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I saw a condom shop in Tokyo. I think it was [Condomania](http://condomania.jp/). That link is to their online store, but their brick-and-mortar shop is big. More on that [here](https://delilahnight.com/2016/01/27/i-went-into-a-condom-store-in-japan-heres-what-i-found/). ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2017, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-oddly-specific-retail-store/782981/138 "2017-04-01T14:33:29Z")
Well, how about marijuana shops? The do sell lotions, salves, tinctures and some accoutrements. But it’s pretty specific. Vap shops seem to sell more smoking paraphernalia that the old head shops used to sell. Don’t seem to find pipes and bongs and such in a MJ shop. ---
**Author:** ![BaldDudePeekskill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5e925/32.png) [@BaldDudePeekskill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BaldDudePeekskill)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2017, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-oddly-specific-retail-store/782981/139 "2017-04-01T17:06:19Z")
> [@Shalmanese](#): > > I went into that store once and didn’t like it at all. The two people who ran it were very unpleasant. One was tart to me and the other was oleaginous. Let’s just toss these comments before they get out of hand 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BaldDudePeekskill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5e925/32.png) [@BaldDudePeekskill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BaldDudePeekskill)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2017, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-oddly-specific-retail-store/782981/140 "2017-04-01T17:08:52Z")
My friend worked for a button cover store in the garment districting NYC…I patronized Vanni bookshop which only sold Italian textbooks and novels in Greenwich village [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-oddly-specific-retail-store/782981.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-oddly-specific-retail-store/782981.md?page=8)