Do you remember where on Long Island that was? I’d love to go check it out.
Across the street from me is this store called “Old Timers”, and it’s like a clock and antique repair store. It’s been there forever, but it never looks open, the door is always closed even in the summer, and it always looks permanently dark inside. But they just repainted the store front? It spooks me to no end.
Nearby: greek-orthodox-mantlepiece-ornaments cum milkbar cum internet cafe.
I too have encountered a shop with no name and no opening hours posted and very mysterious hours of operation. The sad thing is they appear to sell swap cards and I would like to buy some.
A few posters have mentioned Guthries, weird enough and still going strong, but down the street is a business sign that proves God is on a break and George Burns is in charge.
In front of a strip joint is the sign “Big Clearance Sale!”
By the way, the Wife reminded me of the one we saw in a small North Georgia town:
Johnson Repair Center
No possessive, no other descriptive. I think it was an innovative name for a Urology practice
I doubt if “weird” is just right, but I always smile whenever I pass the “Batteries Plus” (or whatever it’s called) place. Good-sized store, parking lot, TV ads. I even went in there once to get an odd battery for an old graphics calculator.
It’s just that it reminds me of the “Scotch Tape Boutique” bit on the old SNL. Can you imagine the overhead for such a place and how many batteries they have to sell to break even? It’s not like you can’t buy batteries in most grocery or drug checkout lanes.
I also wonder how the chewing gum people can justify their advertising budgets…
My contributions:
In South Boston MA (on “D” Street) there was a small variety store, which was actually a bookie joint…they had a few boxes of ancient cornflakes, and some assorted canned goods…these were so old, that the labels were fading out! Rumor had it that somebody ACTUALLY tried to buy some groceries there…the store manager REFUSED to sell tohim!
Another odd establishment…many years ago, there was a sporting goods store in downtown Boston (Brine’s Sporting Goods). Going into that place was like visiting a museum…they had ancient football helmets, old basketball shoes, ancient jockstraps,and displays coated with what seemed to be centurie’s accumulations of dust…I never understood how the place stayed in business!
I once knew of a store in Indiana that was a combo farm equipment store/florist. As one might suspect, the wife ran the florist and husband the farm equipment store.
And then there’s Big Lots! The busted cereal boxes and things dented so bad you can’t use them. And then Jerry Van Dyke is their spokesperson…
A bargain at half the price
One other thing. Ever notice the ads in the Yellow Pages where they don’t give any better directions to their place than “across from…” or “next door to…”?
I always thought it would be neat if the ad for, like, General Hospital would go “across from Ted’s Bait Shop.”
This is It Furniture, where you always get a free onion!
That place sold the CRAPPIEST plasticky cheesey furniture with panther themes that ever existed. And don’t be mistaken. You didn’t have to BUY Anything to get an onion. They kept the bucket of onions right by the door. So if you were to be (hypothetically, of course) a starving Illinois student trying to make a stir fry, you NEVER had to pay for onions. You could just walk in and grab one. Not only that, but they were NICE about you “stealing” their onions.
I hear they still are 
Did we? Beverly High class of '88? I had my name legally changed to my mom’s maiden name though in '91.
New York City specializes in these type of special stores. My favorite is Just Bulbs. They sell bulbs. All sorts of light bulbs, including Xmas type lights with different shaped bulbs. My favorite is Homer Simpson lights.
Forbidden Planet is also in NYC, but I’ve never seen blow-up-dolls there. Just all types of comics and books, some racier than others.
missbunny- the lovely eatery you are referring to in Atlanta is the Varsity. Every time our hs had field trips- that’s where’d we end up. It’s sacriligous to down talk the Varsity in these parts, but theyre food always been mediocre. The way they have the various food lines just separated by lines on the floor & you never know who’s in what line because they’re always packed.
In front of a strip mall around here there’s a little booth in the middle of the parking lot, only big enough to fit a couple people. It’s been used for several things, though I’ve never seen it offically open- a film developing place, sold roses like the ones people sell at highway intersections, snow cones- now its a drive up window prayer place- you give them $ & tell them what to pray for & they’ll do it for you. Never seen anyone inside or trying their service
(let something out- doh!)
The way they have the various food lines just separated by lines on the floor & you never know who’s in what line because they’re always packed is just weird. The people I used to see working there never looked too clean in the places not covered by hairnet or plastic gloves.
Yep, I have the same last name as your mom. I saw your name change notice in the paper, and recognized it from one of your other posts here.
-Meaghan
There used to be a Jordanian/Greek restaurant near UNM (it may still be there) and its decore included 5 foot tall bongs.
I also saw a small restaurant in Carlsbad, NM, which appeared to be a combo diner/thriftstore. One section was cordoned off from the restaurant area by a low wall and it contained various paintings, animal statuettes, musical instruments, and an artificial tree. At the front counter, among other things, were dusty old calculators, various knick knacks, and a basket of seashells. I don’t know if the owner ever sold any of this stuff–I didn’t see price tags.
Once, on a drive from Kansas City to Denver, I saw a veterinarian’s office called “Steve’s Dog and Cat Repair.” Isn’t that great?
Holy crap! Didn’t realize there was anyone on here that I actually knew - I guess my cover is blown. Yeah, I remember talking once about that. Took my mom to the Clan Rally a few years back and met a guy who we think is a distant cousin - he has the same first name as my great-great-grandda who emigrated. Haven’t been able to make it back since though.
Just moved back home (again), even though I keep trying to get out. Too funny…
There’s a place called Mount Yonah on the way to Helen, Georgia, from Atlanta. And on that road is “Yonah Burger.” But did they think of the greatest catchphrase ever? “Finger-lingam good!” ?
No.
The “Hop N’ Sack”…a gas station that rents out movies. Their mascot is a Kangaroo, and the newest movie in their selection is “The Blair Witch Project”. groan