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Arts & Entertainment

Treasure Need Not Be Hard to Find

Atlantic Avenue, with its many antique and home decor shops, can be daunting. Courtesy of us, a user guide of sorts.

Atlantic Avenue is a well-known home décor lover's heaven. Dozens of antique and home furnishings shops are sprinkled along this busy thoroughfare, particularly between Hoyt and Bond Streets. But with so many options, where to start? Here is a brief guide to navigating the Atlantic Avenue vintage and antique scene. Starting on the block bordered by Smith and Hoyt Streets:

Silk Road Antiques

One of the only shops on Atlantic specializing in goods from Asia, Silk Road Antiques features a collection of 19th century Chinese furniture, contemporary and antique art and home accessories from along the ancient Silk Road trade route, which included Japan, Southeast Asia and Korea. Frances Caroll, who owns the shop with her sister, describes their items as having "clean lines and complex construction." If you're looking for something specific that isn't on display, don't be shy to ask because Silk Road has a large warehouse containing more pieces. Currently a wall is being constructed down the middle of the store. The left side will become an art gallery and the other will display larger furniture. The gallery opens in December with the Color and Contrast art show featuring the artist Judith Kunhardt. The opening party is on December 3 from 4 – 8pm.

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313 Atlantic Ave. 718-802-9500.

Continuing on to the next block between Hoyt and Bond Streets:

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Established in 1962, Horseman Antiques has taken over an entire five story building. It's a maze-like emporium, with Danish Modern teak chairs stacked on Eames Era walnut tables and beautifully intact glass windows suspended from the ceilings. Four floors display mid-century furniture, lighting, bronze and iron statues, artwork and countless other objects. One floor is devoted to turn of the century and older items. The selection even extends to a warehouse in New Jersey. 

351 Atlantic Ave. 718-596-1248

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"We carry basically everything from the 1880s to the 1920s, except bric-à-brac," says Charles Wolfson as he pushes a Victorian chest of drawers across one room of his shop. This is apparent because unlike many other antique shops, there is ample space to walk as you admire each piece without tightly holding your purse to avoid knocking over a porcelain teacup sitting atop a mahogany dressing table. Wolfson and his wife have been in business for more 40 years and pride themselves on offering quality, well-finished, unpainted original pieces. They want to sell items that customers will be happy with for as long as they are the owners.

"I don't sell anything I wouldn't want myself," says Wolfson.

357 Atlantic Ave. 718-858-4233



Stepping into City Foundry is like climbing into a treasure-filled attic. The air has a hint of mustiness in it and hazy sunlight peeks between the tables, chairs, clocks and lamps stacked high to meet the signs and lighting fixtures that hang from the ceiling. Prepare to wind single-file through the two-room shop, stepping aside often to let other customers pass. Owner Sohrab Bakhshi characterizes his items as "whimsical and eclectic," asserting that there is nothing new for sale; everything is from the turn of the century to mid-century. Browsing can be overwhelming, but arrive with some specific wants and Bakhshi will be more than happy to help in your search. Also, if a customer requests, he will assemble components from different items to make a new, unique piece.

365 Atlantic Ave. 718-812-3335

Darr

Brian Cousins lifts a cutting board topped with antique knives to reveal a small rectangular table marked with carvings.

"We look for pieces like this," he said.

Cousins founded and co-owns Darr with Hicham Benmira. They also own the men's clothing boutique  across the street on Atlantic, as well as recently opened locations of both stores in Williamsburg. Darr features "found objects" including furniture, mirrors, framed drawings, housewares, books, bird call whistles, scissors, tools, crustaceans encased in glass paperweights, taxidermy and even an animal skull. Possessing an intriguingly eccentric and peculiar feel, the collection represents many eras and styles.

369 Atlantic Ave. 718-797-9733



Push open the door of Circa Antiques and you will be greeted by friendly and knowledgeable husband and wife proprietors Rachel Leibowicz and David Goldstein. Leibowicz has been operating the shop for 36 years, before this section of Atlantic Avenue was a shopping destination. They carry 18th and 19th century American and European furnishings and décor, from Gothic to American Empire to Victorian and everything in between. Some mid-century pieces sneak in every so often as well, such as a fire-engine red cigarette vending machine from the 1940s. Leibowicz and Goldstein are continuously updating with new inventory.

374 Atlantic Ave. 718-596-1866

Holler & Squall, LLC

Although these three blocks of Atlantic are the antique shopping hub, on the other end near the BQE is Holler & Squall, LLC. Owned by local couple Zachariah and Gillette Wing, this sunshine-filled shop's tagline "things unlimited" is more than apt. Inside the shop's doors you'll find furniture, art, lighting, vases, jewelry, busts and hairpieces. Unrestricted by a specific era, the focus is on tufted leather, interesting colors and shapes, industrial antiques and more recently, taxidermy. Solids prevail over patterns and pairs and sets are preferred. The Wings bring in new items and rearrange the store's layout weekly.

We like "coming into a new shop every week," Gillette Wing said.

Zachariah Wing also builds custom tables and shelves. The best days to visit are Thursday and Friday--it's a little quieter before the weekend. 

71 Atlantic Ave. 347-405-3734

Two delightful vintage shops on Court Street, both owned by J.P. and Colleen Ferraioli, deserve mention: Yesterday's News and Brownstone Treasures.

Treasures opened first, and when J.P.'s father closed his real estate office at 428 Court Street, Yesterday's News opened. Most of the fairly priced items are from the 1950s and earlier, with new goodies arriving at least twice a week. Wardrobe closets, chairs, desks, kitchen tables and wooden crates are the most popular selling pieces. Everything you need to recreate the retro life can be found in these stores including black and white photographs, issues of Life magazine, glassware, greeting cards, jewelry, bottle openers and books. Brownstone Treasures also has a mix of chic and quaint clothing and shoes. 

Yesterday's News, 428 Court Street, 718-875-0546

Brownstone Treasures, 220 Court Street. 718-237-1838

Still more to visit...

Town & Country Antiques

Two steps down is Town & Country Antiques. The specialty at this store is 1950s lighting and furniture.

352 Atlantic Ave. 718-875-7253

Antique Room

Between Bond and Nevins Streets, Antique Room takes up three store fronts.  

412, 414, 416 Atlantic Ave. 718-875-7084

 

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