Variations of Old Town

I stopped in here during a visit to San Diego Old Town and browsed their kitchy, mostly lower quality decorative items. They have some cute wall hanging art and some knick-​knack figurines/​statues for sale. I was interested in their «Japanese» swords and asked the woman behind the counter about them, in particular the one that was in the $ 600 price range (the most expensive one they had). I wondered if it might be actual folded steel since it wasn’t that long and the price was higher than all their other swords. The little paper tag on it had basically no good information so I asked her if she knew who made it. She informed me it was crafted in China by Japanese weapon smiths because you can’t craft swords in Japan. This is completely false. Japan did have a ban on crafting swords (imposed at the end of WWII) but it was lifted a few years later and theyv’e has been crafting for decades now. I’m not sure if they can be exported but they can (and are) certainly crafted there.
Anyway, I understand that most Japanese katanas sold in the US are made in China so I asked if she knew who the sword smith or what forge it came from. I personally own a John Chen sword and would only consider one of similar or higher quality. She said she didn’t know and the information was probably there on/​with the sword. I confirmed for her that the information was not and asked if I could handle/​inspect the sword. She pleasantly agreed and I unsheathed it. The blade was dirty and covered in sawdust from the cheaply made sheath. Though there was a wavy line on the blade, it was just decoration and not folded steel. I thanked the woman and put the sword back.
Later, I met up with a friend nearby and we walked past this store. I pointed out the 40% off Going out of Business sign (actually it says «Going Out for Business») and he said «Yeah, they’ve been going out of business for the last two years! Since I first moved here!»
Manipulative signage, uninformed people, low quality merchandise. I have no reason to return.

The owner never grew up to be a man … A mom’s boy.
We were chased out of shop the man used foul language in front of young kids. This is an over priced Walmart discount store.

I’ve noticed that my reviews have been of pretty low ratings recently, so time to change it up as this is one of my favorite stores in Old Town.
Variations Imports is kind of hidden in a back alley, between Covered Wagon and The Living Room on San Diego Ave. They always have a «Going out — » sign out on the sidewalk, hard to miss it.
The staff is friendly but not pushy, they inform you everything is 40% off, then leave you alone until you ask them a question, this definitely gives some space to walk around. It’s not a very big store (well, it’s quite large for Old Town) and they offer a lot of different unique items which I’m a BIG fan of. Wall décor and designs (including wine holders which I’ve been drooling over for a while), mirrors, clocks, house and garden items, jewelry, including amber, and perhaps what they’re most known for– their swords, daggers and other weapons. Me and Hubby got two wooden training swords, a silver&blue dragon dagger, and a beautiful Chinese tea set (all on two different visits) and although it’s been a while that we actually strolled down there, I can’t wait to shop for more…

This is a very interesting shop. I am not sure if they are going out of business or just bring in going out of business items to sell. They had a 40% off everything deal going when I was there.
They carry all kinds of interesting knick knacks. I purchased a tea set for my mom for her birthday (asian theme pot and 6 tea cups) and a silver necklace for my daughter (10g for under $ 25, while not exactly the going bullion rate for silver, it was a fair deal for a great necklace). Vicki the saleswoman even polished the necklace for me while I looked around the shop at some of their other items.
Pro Tip: They have swords for 40% off!!! I almost bought a samurai sword here that appeared to be a hand made Marushi Katana not from Damascas steel. I just wasnt comfortable as the paperwork didnt have the right certificate of authenticity.
None the less overall the prices were acceptable and they had some great and interesting pieces. The staff was helpful and they were holding purchased items for when you were ready to leave Old Town so you didnt have to lug the stuff all over with you!
So I am completely unsure why they show as going out of business or if it is one of those marketing ploys that people sometimes use to drum up business in touristy areas.