Window Shopping at Read Brothers

We just got back from South Carolina. We've taken our kids there on and off for years, and went back this summer for a week of fun in the sun.  While everyone was playing in the waves, I snuck out one afternoon to hunt for antiques and other vintagey finds. As I drove down King Street, I stumbled upon a real relic: Read Brothers -- a Charleston fixture and family owned business that has been around since 1912. The red brick building houses an eclectic variety of fabrics and imports. The funky windows are just the tip of the iceberg:

I don't quite know how to describe the place -- it's sort of an emporium of fabric, vintage toys, imports, sewing notions, and other odds and ends -- with a stereo store attached!

I came home with a couple of goodies including some oilcloth and retro green tablecloth material.  The store is also known for their surplus stock of "Victory" bobby pins from WWII --  had to have some!

I just wish I would have bought some of those jingle bells...