Fly to New Heights Via Songbirds

There is a place for individuals who would rather shop for jewelry with more character than what can be found in overpriced department stores or fine jewelers. For tobacco enthusiasts, the avid smoker would be equally as thrilled to know that this specific shop also carries Connecticut’s largest collection of glass pipes, hookahs, vaporizers and more.

Songbirds, located at 2551 Berlin Turnpike, has an eclectic range of handcrafted goods from all over the world. “The majority of our selection comes from overseas,” said Datura Damiano, who has worked at the shop for half of its two-year existence.

Privately owned by a couple who has traveled all over the world, the establishment is an eye-opener for true cosmopolitans. As a selection of music from different countries and time periods satiate the eardrums, your sense of smell is f looded with the fruity, musky scent of incense.

Sterling silver rings, bracelets and necklaces are on display in the glass cases, each embedded with varying gemstones such as moonstone, tiger’s eye, turquoise, amber and others. Gemstones have more personality than your typical 18K white platinum diamond ring, and Songbirds’ jewelry is reasonably priced and affordable. “We have jewelry sales every weekend,” Damiano said.

“Our stock is constantly new,” she explained while pointing out some particular pieces. Wooden drawers shaped like tree stumps are displayed throughout, which would be perfect to hold one’s newly-purchased gemstone jewels. These draw- ers were specially handcrafted and shipped by an artisan from Costa Rica. Near the drawers are handcrafted wooden layered puzzles, in shapes ranging from puppies to guitars.

Local artists’ paintings adorn the walls, from oil-based to prints, and elegant yet funky bells and wind chimes hang from the ceiling. Sculptures of ethnic faces stare up at you from display tables, balanced out with treasures from all over the globe.

There are even some cute odds and ends in the store, such as bowls made out of old records, bongos, tiedye shirts, hand puppets and natural soy wax candles made in Connecticut.

Smoking objects are in a room adjacent to the main section of the store, which is off-limits to minors under 18 years of age; individuals are carded as they enter. Songbirds represents the Illadelph Glass Company, which is a manufacturer of innovative hand-blown glass water pipes, sent here all the way from Hollywood, California.

Supporting small businesses and artists is crucial, and Songbirds understands this often forgotten fact. It’s beneficial to the consumer because of the quality, not quantity, and it can open up a world of insight to adventurous souls. Heck, it might even compel you to do a little exploration of your own.

Wild Bill's Nostalgia Center

Calling all collectors and novelty enthusiasts: search no longer for that vintage Hannah Barbara lunch- box or giant Pez dispenser! In need of a bobble-head or two? Look no further, and stop digging through your parents’ old junk in the attic!

There is a living monument to the unforgettable time periods that are well-passed and long gone: an ode to the pop culture that defined us as Americans.

Driving down Newfield Street in Middletown is quite ordinary; that is, until Wild Bill’s Nostalgia Center comes into sight. It is as if you began to trip right then and there, as the explosion of colors numb your senses.

The building’s exterior is difficult to describe; it is that intense. Each side has been painted with historical figures and cartoon characters, from Jim Morrison to Superman. Janis Joplin is seen hanging out by an unmarked entrance and next to it, a sign painted with the old phrase: “Hippies use side door.”

“It’s good to have high ceilings,” said owner Wild Bill. “Makes it easier to pile a lot of crap up.”

For 25 years, Wild Bill has been living a dream, owning sacred novelties that people constantly are pining after. As an early distributor of Funko, Bill started out selling Wacky Wobblers, otherwise known as bobble-heads. Funko has also made a bobble-head of Wild Bill, which resembles him with his long locks in an Uncle Sam top hat and peace sign necklace.

Bill then increased his store’s merchandise to hold rarities, ranging from hard-to-find vinyl records to recreations of old concert f lyers, along with the millions of posters and postcards.

Wild Bill’s past is as colorful and adventurous as his store. Having worked for the Barry Goldwater campaign in 1964, he then enlisted in the Air Force in 1966 while most were avoiding the misery that was Vietnam. After coming home, he settled down, got hitched, and had three children, all of whom work at the establishment as well. “My children and grandchildren work here; it’s strictly a family business,” Bill said.

Outside the store, on his 45-acre lot sit, 28 tractor-trailers full of rare finds. The store is already filled to the brim as-is, so Wild Bill takes out handfuls of loot from the trailers when he has the time, and the space. “This is what happens when you don’t throw anything away for 60 years,” he said.

One item in his store holds a personal meaning to Wild Bill: a life-sized, electronic, animated clown built in the 1920s, straight from Coney Island. As he plugged it in and turned on the semi-disturbing laugh track, I watched the clown’s haunting movements. “This is sentimental to me because my grandfather was a Barnum & Bailey clown,” Bill explained.

Random objects hang from the ceilings, whether it’s a giant Mini-Me (Austin Powers) or a section from a kiddy carnival ride from the 1940s. “Anything goes here,” said Wild Bill. “Whatever I find, I sell.”

While scouring the inside of the store, I stopped to gander at myself in a warped mirror, attempted to talk myself into purchasing a liquor bottle lamp and eventually ended up at a $550 Coca-Cola soda machine, starting at it intently and wishing it could reside in The Recorder office.

From vintage toys to wigs, suspenders, model cars, sunglasses and more, nothing in the store can be classified as “normal.” “It’s oddball stuff, but people do buy it,” Wild Bill said. “I started the kind of place I’d like to shop in.”

Distributors from all over the U.S. and Europe know about Wild Bill’s Nostalgia Center. “They know we’re here and that we buy strange things,” he said.

Even Rob Zombie knows; he used a Wild Bill’s poster in one of his latest movies. Speaking of great publicity, A well-known television station is noticing the store’s outer beauty as well. “MTV is shooting a music video here next Sunday,” Bill noted. “It should be interesting.”

Wild Bill is planning an action-packed summer full of outdoor concerts, f lea markets, and better yet, a fun house built behind the store that will be open to the public. “I was thinking of having a hot dog stand built into the fun house,” Bill said. “You’d order your hot dog, go through the fun house, and then receive your hot dog as you walk out.”