E J’s Odds & Ends Thrift Shop & Antiques

HOLY CRAP are the first words that come to mind. Odds & Ends don’t begin to do justice to the inventory that EJ has in stock. From ceiling to floor and wall to wall every inch of this store is crammed with anything & everything that you could possibly imagine, and many things I’m sure you couldn’t even dream of. It’s worth a trip here because you would never believe it until you see it.
I have no doubt that EJ is probably a legend in this neighborhood. There was a rotating parade of friends, neighbors and interesting (often shady) characters who stopped in to «shoot the breeze» with EJ. He encouraged me to take my time and find some things that I never knew that I needed and has a PIB policy. You can look at whatever you want, as long as you PIB-​Put it Back! This however is where the dilemma lies. It’s impossible to look at anything without moving 50 other things out of the way first. Even as I tried to be careful as I tiptoed through the narrow aisles with inventory looming above me, it was impossible not to knock over something. To say EJ must be a hoarder is an understatement, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a Picasso masterpiece buried under a Tarzan style loin cloth, under a box of magnets, on top of a drafting table, beside a stuffed gorilla somewhere in the building. But if you can find it, no one may ever find you.
I enjoyed my conversations with EJ. He is quite the character and very entertaining. I’m convinced he is an artist at heart as he doodles his initials on much of the merchandise, although he denies any artistic talent. I inquired about pricing on a few things, and his response was «Oh well work something out». I didn’t leave with anything that day, and not without trying. I think I was just a little too overwhelmed and didn’t have enough time to get lost in the madness. Maybe someday I’ll brave it again… and if you ever hear he’s going to move everything outside so you can actually start looking at the items let me know!