Junkman’s Daughter

Junkman’s Daughter is difficult not to notice when you drive or pass by Moreland Avenue in Atlanta GA. You have definitely seen the establishment at one point or another — huge, multi-colored store with shimmering and sparkling mannequin displays. The exterior and even the name “Junkman’s Daughter” might just raise more questions than it answers — “what in the world is in there?”

Junkman’s Daughter is a testament to the diversity that Little 5 Points represent, and the interesting part is, this shop is one of the oldest in the community, and yet it is not an antique or vintage shop – well, not entirely at least, it has everything for every generation. It has anything and everything that you may or may not need but you may find it interesting because it simply is or maybe because it is one those things that you encounter very rarely and it would be a treasure to simply have it.

So instead of simply laying out for you what or what not to expect, how about do not expect anything and simply be open to anything that you will find in it.

As overwhelming as the exterior of the store may be, think of it as a preview of what else you could find inside. You can find collectibles, fetish items, novelty items and even some necessities like wardrobes, accessories and stuff that may come in interesting and creative forms.

Prepping for Halloween? Then you have come to the right place for rare and original Halloween costumes. The place becomes jam-packed during the season so if you come in late, you’ll be left with nothing but leftover costumes.

Simply put, open your mind, do not set any expectations, and do not bring a shopping list because remember, Junkman’s Daughter is not a supermarket nor a department store. But it is also more than a gift shop or a junk shop. You can literally find anything in here so just get ready to have your visuals filled with things, novelty or necessities alike, and have fun and take your time strolling through the aisles or perusing through the various items.

A Cappella Books

It is hard to find these days a book shop that will describe a certain town and its people through its novels and other written work. But in Atlanta’s Little 5 Points (L5P) neighborhood, a book shop as such can be found.

Years after Frank Reiss graduated from the University of Georgia in Athens (UGA) he decided to open A Cappella Books in 1989, a book shop that seemed like the embodiment of Little 5 Points’ history, culture, lifestyle and its people through its collection of books and novels. It is L5P’s life and soul.

The shop may not seem as your standard or normal bookstore that sells brand new paper backs or hard covers. A Cappella sells both used and brand new titles. Reiss has also ventured into publishing some out-of-print selections and a new book by Peter Case which showcases his memoirs.

Reiss carefully chooses which books to sell, like Jean Genet’s Querelle or selections about indie music – you see, Little 5 Points is Atlanta’s indie capital. Now how does Reiss know which books would speak best about Little 5 Points? He solicits the help of his neighbors to organize reading events and meet-ups to gather feedback on what’s keeping L5P’s book-loving community hooked or interested at the moment.

Think of A Cappella as Little 5 Points’ local library and Reiss as its librarian, only that the books in this “library” are of course, not free but are all worth spending money on.

Criminal Records

In this digital age where music can be easily streamed and downloaded for cheap yearly or monthly subscriptions or even for free to say the least, you’d think that CDs and vinyl records are dead. But fact of the matter is, it really is a dwindling industry but there are still very few stores that keep that particular industry alive, one of which is Criminal Records.

Don’t let the shop name fool you. This is not a branch of the feds or something like that. Criminal Records is a music and comic book shop situated in Atlanta’s most artistically eclectic neighborhood, Little Five Points. They sell a wide range of physical music formats from CDs, vinyl records (all types – LPs, 7”s, 10”s and 12”s), DVDs, multiple disc sets, box sets and even turntables and accessories perfect for passionate music collectors. They also have an extensive graphic novel collection, posters, magazines and other stuff that are both new and used and even a cozy spot to hold short live performances, but Criminal Records is more known in L5P as one of the very few remaining physical record shops in Georgia and the only one in Atlanta.

The shop sells releases from both mainstream and indie artists, vintage and current, but people come here to sample and buy records that they cannot find in other record shops like Tower Records. They have the most extensive collection of indie albums, especially the hard to find ones and the classics, which is good news for indie artists because Criminal Records paves the way for them to be heard, discovered and make a profit – although meager at times – from their releases. Not only do they have the most extensive collection of the most obscure records that have been ever released, the prices are reasonable too and the staff is as equally as knowledgeable as the customers when it comes to their stuff – they really know their music. If the store doesn’t have what you’re looking for, they’ll either order it in for you or they will suggest a close alternative so you’ll end up still taking home something.

Their website also offers an online shopping option, and while some may find this convenient, some music lovers would personally drop by and take the time to hear samples from their very extensive and constantly updated collection of records, browse over their comic book collection or just hear a band perform in one of their in-store performances, because the experience is golden. Whether these people end up buying something on their way out or not, being in this indie heaven is an experience worth coming back for.

Psycho Sisters

Still in the hippy and funky Little Five Points lane known as Moreland Avenue, there is a clothing boutique that sits comfortably along this area and is simply more than a consignment shop for staple brands like Levi’s, Banana Republic, Gap or Betsey Johnson.

Psycho Sisters is just as eclectic as the neighborhood where it is located. Aside from used and new staple wardrobe, it also sells vintage and funky clothing accessories, the type when you wear all those stuff together, you’ll look like a close friend or relative of Austin Powers. But these stuff – the vintage and funky wardrobe and accessories – when worn separately or mixed and matched with more modern clothing like a boot cut jean, a sexy tank top and some nice sandals, can give your look a whole new meaning. And if you dig that kind of thing, then you should definitely drop by Psycho Sisters.

The store has two floors. The first floor features all the usual clothing stuff – tops, shirts, pants, skirts, shorts, shoes, sandals, boots and must-see accessories. The second floor is a little bit more dramatic and theatrical – it contains all the kinds of costumes that you will need for any themed party or any season – Halloween, Yuletide – name it and you’ll surely find it.

Many previous customers commend the store for having newly replenished stocks and newly arrived items almost everyday. Although most of the store’s inventory is made up of costumes and vintage and funky wardrobe, many of these customers still think of Psycho Sisters as a valuable store in Little Five Points and a must-visit by both locals and tourists. Not to mention, the store’s staff is very helpful and very friendly. However, their opinion is divided whether the prices of these items are reasonable or a tad pricey. Well maybe that’s something that you should see for yourself when you pay this store a visit.

So get funky and stylish all at the same time by trying on the stuff that Psycho Sisters has to offer – for any age, any dress size, any gender, any style.

Wax n Facts

Moreland Avenue houses the most eclectic and sometimes, the oldest stores in the funky and hippy district of Little Five Points, case in point – the 34-year old physical record store Wax N Facts.

Wax N Facts has been in the business of trading and selling old and new records – vinyl, compact discs, and even cassette tapes – since 1976. Despite the takeover of digital music as the staple audio format since the advent of file sharing and streaming, stores such as this never lost its appeal, well not totally yet. If no major improvements are done with the way they conduct their business, they might just be eaten alive by mp3s and mp4s and worse, by other physical record stores who learned to keep up with the times despite having vintage stuff as its prime commodity.

Of all the physical record formats that have come out, the vinyl have never lost its appeal. As such, Wax N Facts has invested in this particular interest for the wooden disc and began buying and selling both new and used stuff from and for avid and passionate audiophiles. Their stacks are neatly organized as each record is arranged in alphabetical manner according to genre. The new arrivals or newly released albums – whether by an indie or mainstream artist – are placed near the cash register near the store front. But just like other vintage and obscure record stores, the new releases by mainstream artists have already been picked through and most often, the stocks left are very few. But patrons do not come here for those, they come here for the hard to find records – mainstream oldies or vintage, or indie – and most of the time, they come here for the vinyl copies.

Although it has withstood the test of time, the majority of Wax N Facts’ patrons and even first time customers agree that the store needs to keep up with the times. Yes it does have a website, but they do not offer an online shopping option, not even an online updated catalogue of their collection. Although, some really prefer to personally browse through the collection at the store as the time spent in doing so is worth it, it won’t harm the business if they expand e-commercially. All the records, no matter how often they update it and no matter how precious these vintage stuff are, and all their staff, no matter how friendly and thoroughly helpful these guys may be, will all be futile unless they make the necessary advancements in their business, as other vinyl record stores have done.

Stefan’s Vintage Clothing

Not everyone can rock vintage outfits. But everyone can still try to look for something vintage that with the right size and perhaps the right cut and color, can make them appear classically fashionable. And if you’re looking for a new vintage dress for a formal party or simply for those casual boring days, then come to Stefan’s Vintage Clothing along Euclid Avenue.

They’ve got a wide selection of vintage and classic outfits for every age, every gender and every occasion. For the males, they’ve got some nicely tailored suits, tuxedos and dress shirts and pants that are either influenced by the mid-century fashion sense or are simply authentic and were truly tailored during those times. For the more complicated and sophisticated female fashion, they’ve got dresses, gowns, and the staples like pants, blouses and tops springing from the turn of the century until the 1970s. They also have costumes, accessories like the colorful bags from the retro era, and everything classic, retro and vintage that is not one bit tacky or cheap looking.

Stefan’s has been in the business of selling vintage and classic wardrobe since the 1970s. Through the decades, they managed to stay true with the nature of their business while keeping up with the times. Stefan’s has a website and although they do not directly offer an online shopping option, most of the clothes from their store inventory can be bought via Ebay. They offer shipping services and in addition, their website has a short catalogue of some of the clothes that they offer – modeled and worn by real people so you can easily visualize the clothes and have a good idea on what to expect once you step in the store.

The store also boasts of having very knowledgeable and accommodating sales personnel that even previous customers can attest to. So accommodating, they’ll even give you some helpful tips on how to go about in L5P – where to eat, where to hail a cab and other must-see places in the district after your stop at Stefan’s. It has also been said that famous personalities like James Dean, Cary Grant, and other well-known models and musicians have also come here to shop for some hard to find clothing items.

So come to Stefan’s when you’re in Little Five Points, where classic and chic meet. Feast your eyes through their extensive collection of vintage clothing – formal or casual, or browse through their fashion books and you’ll never come out of this store without liking and buying anything.