The Curiosity Shop

As someone who has worked here — and likely one of the shop’s best customers — I can certainly attest to the one-​of-​a-​kind, whimsical, and reasonably-​priced treasures waiting for you.
The shop’s major stock is jewelry, vintage clothing, and vintage accessories (especially hats!) However, there is a pretty wonderful (although admittedly smaller) ‘men’s section’ which often includes various fedoras, a sizable collection of cufflinks/​tie pins/​money clips, and other assorted items. (For example, there is an old lighter in the shop right now in the shape of a horse bust. So righteous.)
The Curiosity Shop doesn’t stop at Women’s and Men’s accessories, though. Wendy O. has it right when she says you never really know what you’ll find here. They honestly have a little bit of everything. If you don’t see something you’re looking for in the shop, there’s a pretty good chance the owner still has it. As a lifetime collector, she has SOOO much more in storage that she would be glad to bring in for you to rummage through. Alert her of what you’re looking for!
Lastly: The Curiosity Shop is open Wednesday-​Saturday, with hours from 11am-4:30/5pm. However, sometimes they will open or close earlier. You’re best bet is to give a quick call, although hours are fairly consistent. Overall, this is a great place to check out. I guarantee you won’t see everything in one visit. The Curiosity Shop is a small establishment with an incredibly varied and vast array of nifty anachronisms.

LOVE this place. You can’t find a better store in Wallingford for providing a cute, whimsical afternoon of browsing through boxes full of silk gloves, feathered hats, stand upon stand of brilliant costume jewelry, and everything else you could possibly think of. This is an amazing place to come with the girls; whether or not you’re thinking about hosting a tea party or just want a cute little knick knack. The girl, Amanda, is an AMAZING sales associate and the owner is super nice. The only downside is their rather odd hours; but if you’re here on a Saturday afternoon, this place can’t be beat.

If you don’t know about this little shop, you should, particularly if you’re a lover of vintage jewelry. It’s not quite an antiques store, not a consignment shop, and not a flea market; it’s quirky and vintage-​y and you never know what you’ll find. Maybe the hat you need for a theme party? Maybe the rhinestone necklace that reminds you of your grandmother? Maybe the perfect tea cup for your afternoon cuppa? You just never know.
It’s crowded and you need plenty of time to look, and then look again. You’ll never see it all and you may confuse «clutter» for «junk». It’s not junk — it’s like Grandma’s attic. A really cool brooch, oh, look at those cute chairs, wow, what a great vase, oh, there’s the vintage coat I’ve always wanted… Looking for glamorous jewelry, ala the early 20^th century, to adorn a wedding dress, evening dress, or prom gown? Check it out. There are rhinestones and crystals, gems and paste, carat gold and costume pieces. Collectible jewelry designers and rings that are just for fun.
And if you don’t see what you’re looking for, ask. The owner has stuff in storage that you’ll only see if you inquire. Maybe it’s bookends or furniture or a pipe rack.
The hours can be a little erratic but there is usually someone there Wednesdays through Saturdays. It’s definitely worth checking out.