Brooks & Co.

Crazy looking place that we just had to go into. Crammed to the ceiling with stuff. Possible stuff that qualifies as junk, but stuff none the less. Some of it interesting. I think the oldest antique in the place was the owner wearing a full jacket and tie. He did not say much. Neither did we. So we looked and left. No idea how he pays the rent unless he moves a lot of that junk. Or stuff I mean.

Rude, rude, rude.
Look guys, I’ll be the first to admit I know jack about running an antique shop — but I’m pretty sure I’ve got a good idea about customer service. Between me and the fella running Brooks, that makes one of us.
Stopping into the crammed, musty shop I was interested in finding out about an imposing black lacquer jewellery box in the window. The owner seemed less interested in greeting me than roaring down the phone to a potential customer. Once he was finally willing to receive audiences, I asked where the box had come from (was it Korean, Chinese, Japanese?) I was only told it had come from a private vendor.
That’s all.
Judging from the mix of real antiques and gussied-​up (or is that down?) tin prints and novelty plaques, I wasn’t ready for the price tag hanging off the box: € 395
Yikes.
Between the cost and the dealer, I couldn’t leave fast enough.
After a quick look online, I found a possible reason why the answers weren’t forthcoming: that jewelry box retails for as little as $ 30 plus shipping.
One more time: Yikes.

You know the saying: «One man’s junk is another man’s treasure». That’s exactly what comes in mind when standing outside Brooks and Co and looking at all the random stuff displayed in the window. When inside, you can pretty much say goodbye to any appointments you have in the next hour or so, you will easily get lost while looking at beer-​cans and hand-​painted dinner plates, trying to decide if you truly need another funky lamp in the living room or flipping through the vinyl selection.
There’s lots of junk allright, but also some rare and amusing items, perfect as gifts for those who have everything.

I don’t know an antique from my elbow but I do know fun things when I see them.
If you venture inside Brooks and Co’s tiny shop, you will float away on a sea of amusing little trinkets and precious little ditties into a magical land full of little brass telescopes, and tankards shaped like bearded 19^th century gentlemen, and a whole host of other wondrous little frivolities.
There couldn’t be a more perfect spot to pick up an unusual Christmas gift for your eccentric aunt this festive season.

Isn’t it funny that there is a really old school antique shop on Baggot Street? It’s one that you’d expect to find on Frances Street or in some remote town somewhere in the country. It’s choc-​a-​block with ornaments, brass things, candlesticks and bits and bobs.