A LONG WAY HOME
by Anita Sarko
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| “THE BULLS EYE SET” BY DESTINO ($68. Circa: 1950s). Contains “bullseye” cufflinks, a “dart“ tie clip, and 3 real darts for throwing at the cork lined inside top cover with a bullseye imprint. |
It really SHOULD have been just another store entrance. I was strolling along W. 17th St. and there was this sign that said PIPPIN HOME (112 ½ W. 17th St., NYC, 10011. 212. 206.0008): Nothing out of the norm about THAT. What made me stop was the snappy little striped awning and a gold cherub on a gold pedestal and, when I looked inside the open-gated entranceway, there was a long narrow walkway to SOMEWHERE ... but where the hell was the shop?
Halfway along, there was another lane/area/room to the right that was also filled with some very interesting and very old pieces. After a look around, I re-entered the original walkway and ended up at the door of a small blue shingled building that looked like a carriage house. In I went. It was worth the trip. The inside of the final destination was packed with every sort of vintage thingy anyone could ever want for their home, in just about every size and ranging from good to excellent condition. The rooms were heavily scented with glorious autumnal scents, courtesy of Yankee Candles (I was later informed). I was immediately greeted by a jovial woman named Rachel Cooper and then left to my own devices. I love being left alone to shop. Nothing angers me more than constantly being assaulted by “sales associates,” either asking me what I’m looking for or actually dragging goods over to me. It once got so intrusive at one shop (I’ll kindly leave out the name), that I came equipped with a hand-written sign that said “Just Looking” for my next foray there. It caused quite a ruckus amongst the “sales associates.” The vibes were not good. |
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| Entrance from street to PIPPIN HOME. | Side alley off entrance/exit to PIPPIN HOME. |
| Soon, a jovial man entered the shop. Turns out that he was Stephen Cooper, co-owner of Pippin (with wife Rachel). Scampering about was a fetching dog, the namesake of the shop, and another dog. Turns out that Pippin has his own dog, named Merry. And lots of people were bringing in doggie friends of Pippin during the moments I spent there. Obviously, this dog’s life is not bad. Pippin Home has been open for three years. It was originally a blacksmith’s cottage in the mid-1800s. Before the Coopers created their shop, it had served as either a private workshop or a home. |
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| Inside side alley showroom ... Continuing from Side Alley showroom to PIPPIN HOME Blacksmith’s Cottage. |
| Ten years ago, Stephen met Rachel, a third grade teacher in Massachusetts, where they both still live. Stephen’s background was as a fine jeweler and owned Provincetown Jewelers. His family had owned a more conventional “new jewelry” store named Cooper’s in Massachusetts. Eventually, Stephen decided to get out of fine jewelry and spent eight years selling at the Manhattan Flea Market at 26th St. and 6th Ave. Their sources are in the hills of western Massachusetts, north of Amherst. They go to auctions twice a week. “Jewelry is our big thing, but I’m better with furniture.” Rachel explains. Pippin actually began on Orchard St. The thrill was gone after the area became so gentrified that the ambiance that had originally appealed to the Coopers became lost as the surrounding establishments were replaced with ones that were expensive and, insofar as the Coopers sensibilities were concerned, lacking in character. |
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| PIPPIN HOME BLACKSMITH COTTAGE ... Exit from PIPPIN HOME BLACKSMITH COTTAGE to Street. |
| Eventually, the Coopers set up a booth on the corner of 17th St. to augment their jewelry business. It was here that they met their current landlady. And so, Pippin Home was born. Eventually, the space next door became available, so the Coopers moved their jewelry business there. Though there are little teasers of jewelry and other vintage accessories for one’s body littered about Pippin Home, these are mere hints as to what is stuffed into the jewelry shop next door. But, that’s for another time. Very soon, I promise. You will be very happily surprised at the prices. Of course, it helps that the Coopers frequent the out-of-the-way auctions they do. However there are other elements that come into play. “We’re very bargain-conscious.” Rachel emphasizes. “We try to price (our goods) reasonably from the beginning. We try to get a bargain at auctions so we can pass it on here.” They get new items in every Wednesday. Quite frankly, each time I visited, I kept seeing new pieces and favorite pieces seemed to disappear very quickly. |
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| Left: RICESZINN ART NOUVEAU PEWTER PITCHER ($210. Circa: Turn of the century). PERSIAN PRAYER RUG ($171. “You are not supposed to put anything on it.” Circa: Mid-Century). Right: HAWKES DECANTER ($228. Circa 1910). “This is the best crystal made in this country. It predates Steuben. He was one of the founders of Steuben.” |
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| ALVIN STERLING KNIVES ($68/Pair. Circa: 1890) “A GOOD sterling company.” PERSIAN AREA RUG ($145. Circa: 1950s). “We call them ‘semi-antique,” the owners explain, with a laugh. |
| The attention to rational pricing doesn’t stop there. Look on the price tag of all the furniture and tchotchkes and you will see a reasonably current date. After one month from that date, 20% is taken off of the original price. After two months, an additional 10% is deducted. “That’s to keep the store interesting and flowing: To keep things DIFFERENT.” Says Rachel. The final markdown is 50% after five months. If the items are not sold by then, the piece goes back in auction. The Coopers come into Manhattan each Friday and leave by Sunday. “Every once in a while, we give ourselves a week off.” They both laugh. Don’t worry: The couple is surrounded by a friendly, loving and extremely knowledgeable staff who can easily help you if the Coopers are on the lam. |
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| BOOKENDS ($35. Circa: Art Deco). |
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| BACCARAT CRYSTAL PORT WINE SET ($285. Eleven pieces). |
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| Left: GLASSWARE DISPLAY (Amongst many many other home items. Sets are generally a good deal under $100). Right: PIER MIRROR ($409. Circa: Mid 1800’s). Pink EDISON HOBNAIL MILKGLASS LAMP ($35.) Chrome STARBURST TORCHIERE LAMP ($155. Circa: Mid-Century). |
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| Antique FRENCH SLATE MANTLE CLOCK ($235. Circa: 1910). |
| Don’t be frightened from buying the larger statement pieces because they can arrange delivery with someone with “reasonable rates.” While I was there one time, they were not only arranging such a service for an interior designer named Vicomtesse Irwin, but they also told her the deliveryman would be happy to give her a lift to where she was going, as well. Now, that’s what I call service! |
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