In the mid-1990s, in my small town in coastal Connecticut, there was still a small general store. It had a post office inside and the requisite bins of wrapped candy. My sisters and I would go in and fill wax paper bags with butterscotch hard candies and tootsie rolls that cost a penny each. Apart from the candy and the stamps, the store had mostly given over its shelf space to a strange brand of faux-Americana. Instead of being stocked with dustpans and twine, shelves were crammed with hand painted signs bearing Benjamin Franklin-style aphorisms fit for a seaside town: “All you need is love and the beach, ” and “Life’s better with sandy toes.” The shop closed when I was in high school and I’m fairly certain it’s now home to a nail salon for taloned beach-goers. Where they get their hand painted signs now is anyone’s guess.
Realities of that particular store aside, the general store lives on in my imagination as the ideal kind of retail establishment. Living in Brooklyn in the 21st century, I can happily report no shortage of small nouveau general stores that have embraced the more practical side of the business. While not everything on their shelves could be classified as necessary, the goods for sale are almost always undeniable useful. Dry Goods on Atlantic Avenue is no exception.
When I stopped in this weekend for a quick browse, I found myself compelled to make a small purchase. Magnetic thumbtacks don’t fall into the category of something I actually need, but when I happened upon them I was certain I could find a use for them.
For now, they’re holding those small bathroom accessories that have a habit of going missing. James isn’t convinced that it’s gentlemanly to display ones nail clippers, but I disagree. Bathroom accessories as art in a tiny apartment.
PS. Looks like the online shop doesn’t have the thumbtacks in stock, but take a look at it anyway for whatever it is you didn’t know you needed. UPDATE: Tacks are being restocked as we speak! Check them out, here.
I wish they had little shops like this in our corner of Italy! Unfortunately most of the shops in my Sicilian town are full of poorly made, mass-manufactured goods rather than well crafted or handmade anything.
I so need these!!! (not, but they are very very cool…!) Now, how to get some without having to order from Japan (some very funny descriptions out there ;o)
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In the mid-1990s, in my small town in coastal Connecticut, there was still a small general store. It had a post office inside and the requisite bins of wrapped candy. My sisters and I would go in and fill wax paper bags with butterscotch hard candies and tootsie rolls that cost a penny each. Apart from the candy and the stamps, the store had mostly given over its shelf space to a strange brand of faux-Americana. Instead of being stocked with dustpans and twine, shelves were crammed with hand painted signs bearing Benjamin Franklin-style aphorisms fit for a seaside town: “All you need is love and the beach, ” and “Life’s better with sandy toes.” The shop closed when I was in high school and I’m fairly certain it’s now home to a nail salon for taloned beach-goers. Where they get their hand painted signs now is anyone’s guess. 
16 Comments
I wish they had little shops like this in our corner of Italy! Unfortunately most of the shops in my Sicilian town are full of poorly made, mass-manufactured goods rather than well crafted or handmade anything.
beccagarber.com
oh gosh, I think you should buy me some and mail them to me 😉 Such a handy invention…
These sound like a brilliant invention, I think they look really cool too & what gorgeous packaging. Swoon!
Harri
at-rubik.blogspot.com
These are so great! I've never seen these! It also gives any studio a little more modern of a look! 😀
Now, this is just smart! Fingers crossed that they get some posted online for purchase!
Stores like that are poison for me – I absolutely love them, but I always come out having spent far more money than I should.
<3 Kiersten
These are so unique! such a creative way to display your tools. I bet they look really cute just tacked into the wall themselves for minimal decor!
I so need these!!! (not, but they are very very cool…!)
Now, how to get some without having to order from Japan (some very funny descriptions out there ;o)
"Whatever it is you didn't know you needed" defines all my favourite stores haha!
Drygoodsny.com has listed them now on the website. They are listed as sold out but she will update as soon as she receives them.
Happy Shopping!
She said the next shipment will arrive in the next few days.
I have never seen them before. Wonderful!
Just went to look at the online store. What a great store to browse around in. Love the Book Darts and the Bake-n-Store.
Haha, these at so cute!
these are brilliant! thank you so much for sharing. xx
I really love reading and following your post as I find them extremely informative and interesting. This post is equally informative as well as interesting . Thank you for information you been putting on making your site such an interesting. Nail clippers
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