Everything old is cool again
Sunday afternoon my pal Michelle and I were looking for a way to kill the last few hours of the long holiday weekend when she suggested a visit to Spokane Vintage Warehouse.
What’s that you say? You’ve never heard of the place? I’m ashamed to say I hadn’t either. And, honestly, I’m telling you about it now with some serious second-thoughts. There’s a part of me that wants you to check it out. But then there’s a part of me that wants to keep this little treasure trove of all things retro and kitschy and Spo-cool all to myself.
Lucky for you the generous, share-y side of me won the argument, and so, I tell you this:
There were posters of 1970’s women clad in workout gear that would make Borat blush.
There was a metal front-stoop milk box from the Early Dawn Creamery.
There was a handmade leather bag with a touching inscription – “From Lee To My Love With Much Affection On Our 3rd Anniversary” (I read this and totally swooned right on the spot.)
There was Expo ’74 memorabilia.
There was an electric green and orange poncho that I’m pretty sure I wore in my Grade 1 school photos.
Jesus statues.
Creepy Madonna (Jesus’ mom, not Lourdes’ mom) paintings.
A snowmobile with a snakeskin seat.
Stacks of classic vinyl.
Cat eye glasses.
’60s design magazines beside groovy old tablecloths.
And this gem: A 1970/71 Pacific Northwest Bell telephone book – in which I found my Granny’s telephone number (before she was my Granny). My Dad’s phone number (before he was my dad). And my Dad’s dad’s phone number (before he was my Grandpa). AMAZING! Do you remember the days when Spokane phone numbers started with letters? Sort of makes this whole texting-by-number thing seem not so amazing if you ask me … I mean, our grandparents were dialing FA5-4321 before we were even born.
You'll find Spokane Vintage Warehouse at 2226 E. Riverside (between Sprague and Riverside on Stone).