Retro Relics And Mysteries Abound At Mother Of Junk
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - In this episode of The Dig, CBS2's Elle McLogan visits Brooklyn Junk — nicknamed "Mother of Junk" — a Williamsburg shop with unexpected wares.
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"We consider it all junk," said manager James Galloway. "Our goal is just to sell as much junk as we possibly can."
Alongside more typical vintage finds, such as antique furniture and rotary phones, sit more unusual items, like house keys and high school yearbooks.
According to Galloway, strangers' portraits and family vacation photos are top sellers.
"People buy a lot of photos. It's all we can do to keep [the bin] full, really," he said.
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Galloway described his clientele as ranging from artists in search of project supplies to senior citizens looking for affordable relics.
"Besides the obvious environmental impact — you're not adding one more piece of trash to the ocean — I would say a good reason to buy something pre-owned is: stuff that's older, if it's made it this long, it's probably because it's good quality," he said.
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"It's going to be somewhat unique."
Tubs of post cards include hand-written notes. One greeting, sent from West Germany to a student at Long Island University, was dated August 6, 1960.
"Untold stories in this stuff," Galloway said.
Brooklyn Junk
567 Driggs Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211
What's something few people know about but everybody should? Whatever it is, Elle McLogan is tracking it down on The Dig. Join her hunt for treasures hidden across our area. Follow Elle on Twitter and Instagram.
