If there are two kinds of shops to distract me and get me in the door, they are a good home accents shop and home decor, or a good bath and body toiletries shop. This was a home accents and gift shop called Balston Mercantile, a few weeks ago while in Hampden and it did not disappoint. Do you ever walk into a shop and want to buy everything, literally? Yep, this one is just like that. It's a perfectly curated space with gems, and beauties and curiosities for your home, whether you're looking for something for a housewarming gift or yourself. The shop offers a bit of everything right down to fun and novelty stationary, remember that? Also, a fun offering of fun and cheeky coffee table books. I was immediately sucked into to some of the best smelling candles. Hey, I can't help it, I'm a huge candle whore, but some of the best smelling candles I've smelled since my favorite candle from Henri Bendel...but alas they are closed now. It was fun exploring the place with little doo dads tucked in everywhere. The best part? Locally owned and better still, by a gay couple, Andrew and Jonathan who were a delight to talk too. The name of the shop is a play on Boston and Balitmore, the place they used to live and now their new home of Balitmore. I'm to the point of now only shopping small and local. It's a great addition to the street of shopping and I wish them well. It was a great shopping experience and attention given at every step of my visit. I did indeed come out with several things...3 candles, a cast iron fox paper weight, and two stationery boxed cards. Not to mention there were a few very hot daddies in their shopping. I bumped into one accidentally. If I had broken it, I wonder if I would have had to pay for it and then brought it home??? Don't worry boys...I'll be back to shop!!!
I could spend hours touring that store and find so many things ... Starting with Obitchuary!!!
ReplyDeleteThat one caught my eye, too!
DeleteCandle shops, like Yankee Candle, make my throat close up and I have to exit pretty quick. Put me in a book store? I could spend all day and never have enough money. Stationery shops are the same --- I can browse all day and end up taking home more than I could use. The shop here closed years ago because nobody writes letters anymore, more's the pity. We still have boxes that haven't been used up.
ReplyDeleteOh, dear.
ReplyDeleteI call these the Bermuda Triangle. These are the kind of stores you want to move INTO. Excellent selection and very creative placement. And this is also the kind of business we need to support: small businesses in a world of big box stores.
XOXO
Very nice, I too am beginning to shop locally. It's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteGreat Knockers! The shop looks very welcoming.
ReplyDelete