All time travelers are welcomed inside the huge architectural antique labyrinth found at Olde Good Things at 1800 S. Grand.
Stained glass, lighting, chandeliers, sconces, cast iron, unusual terra cotta, furniture, reclaimed wood and tin mirrors abound, this awesome undertaking is still run by the Church of Bible Understanding, which donates portions of their proceeds to fund two orphanages in Haiti keeping in line with their original spiritual mission.
Chrystal door knobs, cast iron, and brass bugle horns…
Where do they get these rarities?
“People bring us stuff and we do a lot of shows, and we have pickers who collect the stuff we’re connected in about 43 states.” Says Chuck, partner and curator.
In good with demolition contractors since their humble beginnings, while certain historic objects from the past cannot be touched, almost everything else from the old buildings can be found inside Olde Good Things. From the 1870s – 1960s, including doorknobs, doors, hinges, and windows which are their oldest relics, mostly from the US are the most prevalent.
Their most prized possession, a bronze winged statue of Icarus from Rockefeller Center hangs in the warehouse entrance.
In Greek Mythology, Icarus was the son of an artist who crafted his wings from feathers and wax. Being a boy and forgetting and himself, Icarus flew too close to the hot sun, which melted the wax. Having his wings fall apart, the child fell into the sea and died. His father cried, cursing his own art skills and later titled the land near the place where Icarus fell Icaria in memory of the boy.
BIGGEST SELLERS
Chuck says, “Los Angeles stuff sells fast. People know what it is, just they see it and they want it. We had a headlight from the REDCAR that used to run on Broadway, it was about 14 inches in diameter, with beautiful color, didn’t last long.”
The best quality of Olde Good Things is that they sell things that can be used. While there we spotted a couple looking to design their new annex decides to visit the downtown warehouse on a joint mission to find objects made specifically in 1905 marvel over a long-standing armoire.
With all this process and inventory exchange, store curator and master appraiser Chuck Marburger, could host his own Architecture Antique Road show. Chuck does a lot of bargaining. Everyday Chuck refurbishes, arranges and he’s ready to appraise, buy, trade or sell.
But how to you take on someone who wants to haggle the price down on something made in the late 1800s?
“You don’t.” With a chuckle, Chuck says, “But believe it or not, people try to do it anyway, its funny when you get that one guy who doesn’t really know what he’s are looking at, they’re just talking, trying to save money…some people I know in my field get annoyed but I just laugh. Yes, something’s… sure we make a deal, but something’s we’re firm on.”
With a 180,000 sq ft warehouse in New York and a fresh new shipment container from Pennsylvania, there are plenty of Olde Good Things to choose from. Dozens of chandeliers hang above your head, church pews for goth decoration, fine cabinets, and refurbished tables.
To complete the space with small details, knickknacks, and conversation pieces from history, like bibles from the 1930s and hymnals from the 1800s, Olde Good Things is going strong in downtown celebrating its 10-year anniversary in October.
FMI :OLDEGOODTHINGS.COM
