Clarke’s Collectibles & Lunchbox Museum

Dropped by and was happily surprised. What a wonderful owner, Debbie, and eclectic collection of items. Debbie very knowledgeable about all the items and happy to answer all questions. I bought a set of Beatles Stamps that I had not seen. Recommend all who come through Nice, CA to stop by.

I got a few comics of the uncanny type and a few other things. I really dig the owners here and all the shops around the place as well. The store to the right is kinda part of the whole trip. I was stoked to find something cool like this right up the street. I will be going there a lot more as they also have a Laughing Sal…:)

This place is really awesome. The owner is supper nice and very friendly. Sure brought many memories

This is just a fun stop. Take a minute to stretch your legs and browse this ridiculously cute store, FULL of memorabilia. Deb is a riot, you will feel like you have known her for years. I can’t wait to go back, except the animated clowns (the kind that were at the SF Fun house, remember those??) scare my daughter and grandson, lolol!!! Heck, I will make them wait in the car.

Wow, what a fun place. The lady working here is eccentric in a fun way, and truly has a passion for this zany little spot. Ancient lunchboxes and other pop culture collectables line the walls from floor to ceiling. This place is a true gem and absolutely worth a detour to visit.

Okay– so I read the previous reviews and I knew I HAD to go see for myself! I also knew I was in for a TREAT! True the name of the place lets you know that you’ll find lots of vintage lunchboxes. and the previous reviews let me know to expect more than just lunch boxes, however nothing prepared me for all the treasures, trinkets and novelties from my youth! (I even found an exact duplicate of my 6^th grade diary that my sister bought me– anyone remember the Ponytail line before Barbies took over the scene?)
I could have spent hours browsing, and I would probably still be there if it weren’t for the fact that I had a doctor’s appointment. But I’ll definitely be back, Not only to shop, but to find out what all the laughter was in the back of the show room from a group of school kids on a tour, as I was leaving– what ever was going on sounded fun! I also want to hear more of the owner’s amusing and very entertaining stories of how she found and continues to find all her treasures!
I only wish that all the planning and preparation for the tea party I had last week for a couple dozen of my grown up girlfriends didn’t keep me so busy that I had to put off my visit, because I would have found the exact miniature tea sets I had been searching for!
So one last thought, if you enjoyed Play Land at the Beach in SF, or the old Board Walk in Santa Cruz (I’m talking ‘50s erra) Run, don’t Walk to Clarke’s Collectibles & Lunchbox Museum right on the Highway in Nice in the old firehouse, next to the hardware store!

This place is beyond amazing, When I was young I used to like going to Playland in San Francisco, and now I just visit Debbie at Clarkes Collectibles and hear Laughing Sally’s lookalike. The atmosphere is akin to a early 1900s carnival, packed with many thousands of interesting items… If you are reading this, you should plan on visiting soon… you’ll be glad you did.

This place is so much fun. Located in a renovated old fire station, the charm begins from the outside. Once through the door you won’t know where to look first. Literally hundreds of vintage school lunchboxes that are not only on display, most are for sale !
Every shelf and cabinet is full of original retro toys and gadgets from the past years. If you don’t see it here, it probably didn’t exist. The prices are extremely affordable in comparison to every other shop I have seen of its kind. There is something for every person and every budget.
An added treat is the back wall with its animatronic characters and an enormous giddy «Laughing Sal» that the owner will activate for you on request.
This is the most unique place of its kind i have ever seen. Not to be missed.

How do I describe this place? It’s almost beyond description. The official title is lunchbox museum and there are hundreds of those all over the walls. But there is so much more, including radios, displays from amusement parks that have closed, toys, antiques and lots and lots of Star Wars collectible stuff.
The owner/​visionary/​head honcho is Debbie Clarke who is a wonderful tour guide with her effervescent enthusiasm. As you go through, your initial thought is, «wow, a lot of stuff» but soon you’re spotting this from when you were younger and that from your teen years and things you saw at friends and relatives houses as you grew up. Suddenly you’re on a tour through memory lane.
There’s also the weird, the wow and the indescribable.
I’ve never been to another place quite like this one and I’m glad it’s there. Even better, Clarke is a queen of eBay so the displays keep changing. Beware, many of the items in the museum are also for sale and you will be tempted. Just today a gentleman was walking out with three radios that were stellar finds to him.
Another cool thing about this museum is that there are sections that your wife might like a bit more and sections that’ll have dudes drooling. Bring your parents, too, they’ll see things they haven’t seen in many years.
Don’t miss this highly unusual collection of things and be sure to spend a few moments talking to Debbie Clarke. She’s created a wonderful tourist attraction.