Fairfax County General :
Fairfax Underground
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Billyjoe Wrote:
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> I'm trying to find some unique items/home decor
> and was wondering what are some good places to
> find them.
Try the antique places on 28 in manassas park.
Rent is so expensive here that is why there is no local character. We have to settle for all the nationwide establishments like PB and Pier One etc... Support local mom and pop shops.
graymoose1 Wrote:
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> Unique thrift store on gallows road between rt 29
> and 50. A great place to shop
You are kidding...right? My wife took me there once looking for a navy blazer and as soon as I walked in the door I had to wonder whether I had been teleported to some third world country. That place is filled with racks and racks and from floor to ceiling with crap. Bargains? Sure, but would really want to furnish a house with that stuff? Do not go to Unique thinking that you are going to walk away with anything useful unless your decor is 1970s decrepit.
Bought a couple of items in a store in Aldie...no sign, just an old white building that looks like it's packed full of stuff. Some ugly, some good. Worth checking out. And to pinch from another thread, the bbq at the convenience store a couple hundred yards past the antique store is fantastic.
In West Springfield there is a store you may like. I cannot remember the name but it is in the center with Whole Foods on Old Keene Mill Rd and Rolling Rd. They have a lot of brightly colored "artsy" decorations for the home. Does anyone know the name?
Haha, I sort of agree with you. It's not a complete waste, but I don't think I'd shop there for home furnishings. The place is gigantic and you can spend quite awhile wandering around. It's mostly alot of crap; knick-knacks and decorations that will remind you of the 70s and 80s. You're bound to find something worthwhile, given the enormous volume of thrift items on the shelves. But you might want to lower your expectations before visiting, especially if you are looking for anything resembling fashionable home décor.
And I agree w/ your "third world" comment. The place isn't dirty, but I think I was probably the only white dude around the last time I was there. I almost got the feeling that I'd see ICE agents storming the place at any given moment. :))
Fairfax22032 Wrote:
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>
> You are kidding...right? My wife took me there
> once looking for a navy blazer and as soon as I
> walked in the door I had to wonder whether I had
> been teleported to some third world country. That
> place is filled with racks and racks and from
> floor to ceiling with crap. Bargains? Sure, but
> would really want to furnish a house with that
> stuff? Do not go to Unique thinking that you are
> going to walk away with anything useful unless
> your decor is 1970s decrepit.
WingNut Wrote:
------------------------------------------------------- >> There's supposed to be a flea market opening on Rt 7 btween Tyco and Spring Hill at the old Eastern Motors (yellow) building. I haven't heard any reports yet..
I was just driving around there yesterday and didn't see that, so if the rumor is true, it's probably not open yet.
The idea of a flea market in Tysons Corner is very odd. But that whole area over there is all torn up now with metro construction, so maybe it's hard to find a legit business to rent the place until that whole mess gets straightened up.
Is Upscale Resale still in business? They used to run radio ads all the time and I know that the store in Alexandria closed a while ago, but I would give it 4/5 stars if you are looking for good deals on furniture and accessories that are in good shape and with some character. I believe that they are selective in what they keep in inventory.
What struck me about Unique was the different vendors at the front of the store which seemed a bit out of place. The store does have an open and airy feel and is pretty clean, but it has the same smell of "old" that you find at the Salvation Army store on 236. However, if you are looking for a giant stereo console from the 1970s that looks like a piece of 'fine' furniture the Salvation Army is your place.
The Unique store at Gallows Rd. sells fake IDs at one of the counters on the left side right before you walk into the store. There is a picture of a Virginia (or New York - can't remember) license with a sign stating "IDs sold here." Also, they sell used underwear, bras, socks, bathing suits, used makeup, half bottles of shampoo, etc. I don't see how it's legal to sell those types of previously used items. Isn't that a health dept. violation? But if you shop on Mondays, everthing is 25% off!
WingNut Wrote:
----------------------------------------------------- >> Prime retail space, it's hard to imagine some ghetto flea market with dollar tables and bunko knockoffs there.
That lot will become a gold mine once the Tysons West metro station opens. It probably wouldn't even be an auto dealer anymore after that (good).
Easterns must have gotten hit pretty hard during the recession, in addition to the "Easterns Select" closing on 7, they also closed their dealership in Ballston last year.
I'm seriously going to check out this flea market next week if it's open. I'll let everyone know what kind of crap they're selling.
why me Wrote:
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> In West Springfield there is a store you may like.
> I cannot remember the name but it is in the
> center with Whole Foods on Old Keene Mill Rd and
> Rolling Rd. They have a lot of brightly colored
> "artsy" decorations for the home. Does anyone
> know the name?
The name was Wit's End, but it closed. It's now a politician's campaign office. It did have some cool looking stuff, but it was uber expensive.
There is a place in Fairfax City called the "Second Yard" or something, its not a thrift store despite the name. There also some shops in the little town of clifton. Most of those types of shops are in old town alexandria.
On a side note, if you ever wonder how those places stay in business, they really don't. Most of them are owned by women women with wealthy husbands who need something to do and barely break even.