Eclectic 887

Ack! This store makes me want to quit my job and play with old furniture all day! Such a cute store with awesomely unique items at affordable prices. I will be back again… and again. :)

Eclectic 887 looks like Pinterest exploded inside the store. All of those cute end tables you pretend you’ll make some day; this store has them. Those vintage chicken wire frames used to hold pictures; these people make them. The antique candle holders repainted electric blue; get them here.
Eclectic 887 just recently opened on Smith Ave. in West St. Paul. It’s literally right across the street from the Cherokee Tavern. I’m not super observant and my girlfriend and I kind of bumped into this place on accident. We were excited to go. If we hadn’t been to the antique store right by it, we probably would never know it was there.
When you walk in it looks like a dangerous but colorful hoarder house. Everything is precariously stacked or leaning against something that looks unstable. Its kind of like the thrill of the hunt, if you don’t mind a little danger.
I’m sure its all perfectly safe.
The merchandise is all mostly old furniture and home décor that has been refinished and repurposed for a modern and chic twist (I can’t believe I just said ‘chic’). The styles range from young to old, so everyone can find something here. Each section of the store is themed by color. You can find bright neon pinks and greens for a young girl or boy, or a classic black white for a more mature look.
They also have very cool handmade bird houses and sections of picket fence, etc. for outdoor décor.
The prices in the store, I think, are very reasonable. When you shop at a family owned store like this, you’re not paying for some merchandise that rolled off of an assembly line, You aren’t going to walk in and be able to buy the exact same thing as the person in front of you. A lot of hard work goes into refinishing these products and a lot of their time is spent as well. These stores are the families livelihood and to me that’s enough investment for me to spend an extra couple of dollars.
So why four stars and not five? I had one thing on my mind when I was writing this review and that’s the presence of the people that were working while I was there. They were very nice, but they weren’t very engaging. I don’t like it when I feel like people are watching me shop. If you’re going to be in my general area, at least make conversation with me so there is no awkward silence. If you personally put hard work into something, promote it. Don’t just stand there with weepy eyes hoping I will buy something. If you have customers looking but not picking anything up, ask if you can help them find something.
That being said, I realize this store was pretty freshly opened when I went. I’d have to jitters, too, if I was the owner. I will be going back, so if my experience is different I will update. As for you, go check it out. The store is an awesome and much needed addition to Smith Ave. If we don’t get small family businesses, we’ll get stuck with 12 Walgreens stores and fast food restaurants.
Ain’t nobody got time for that.