Warren Street Antiques – Not for the Faint of Heart

Published on May 18, 2011 :: No Comments

Thumbing through the pages of House Beautiful I spotted a lamp that I think belonged to us at some point. It’s completely plausible that it came from Warren Street Antiques, the brick & mortar shop in Hudson NY that we share with 3  partners. Even though our store looks nothing like the gorgeous homes in my favorite shelter mags, all the elements are there.

The other day our partner David’s son stopped in our shop to visit and they took a walk up Warren St. together.

There are some amazing, beautiful, gallery-like shops on the street. All bright lights and glass, each item a showpiece. Other shops are arranged like the best of homes, warm and inviting, decorated down to the last detail. You feel like you could move right in, if you could only find the kitchen.

David returned from his walk and said, “Why would anyone shop here?”

Our shop is not beautiful. It is not arranged in room settings, and nothing is displayed on pristine white walls with gallery lighting. While it is full of fabulous items, no one in their right mind would want to live there.

And I am certain that some people choose not to shop with us, in spite of our large, diverse inventory and our very-reasonable-for-Hudson prices. Some people would rather have their ideas handed to them, and lack the eye or the spirit for decorative exploration.

That’s okay. No hard feelings.

Because others, I know, choose us first. They enter with virtual machete in hand, prepared to hack through the underbrush, an explorer in uncharted territory. They have no idea what they’ll encounter but they are ready for anything, up for adventure. The Marco Polo or Annie Peck of the antiquing world.

I salute the brave customers of Warren Street Antiques. They are a hardy bunch.

Are you one of them? I bet you could be. Pith helmets, anyone?