Baratta’s Taxidermy

I had finished work for the day on Haddon Ave yesterday and decided to take a walk around and enjoy the sunshine. Walking down the street, checking out the shops, and all of a sudden I notice a coyote looking at me through the door of one of the shops. I did a double take and turn back to look closer. I look inside and see, yes, a coyote (!!!) looking out the front door. Of course I step on inside and see a menagerie unlike any I EVER expected to see in South Jersey, let alone right on the street for free in Collingswood.
A moose (okay just his head it still, it’s GIGANTIC!) A WHITE WOLF, a grizzly bear, suspended in action and time. A gorgeous bobcat. Many deer heads, of course. Ducks of all kinds, feathers glowing in the sunshine. Turkeys.
And they’re BEAUTIFUL. Granted, I am no taxidermy expert, but I have seen my share in natural history museums and online. These are so incredibly lifelike. My entire opinion on taxidermy is changed after coming here and seeing these beautiful animals, frozen in time, to admire up close.
The owner, Tony, has a wealth of knowledge about and a huge respect for animals. He took probably an hour out of his day to talk to me about his craft and shared with me all kinds of information about the different animals. He’s an incredibly interesting guy with a really unique talent for preserving the animals and making them look life like.
Next time you are on Haddon Ave, go check out his shop. Seriously I had no idea these things could be so beautiful. Also as I said the owner is just incredibly nice and interesting and seems happy to take his time to educate you about what you are looking at. Stopping in his shop yesterday was one of the most entertaining and interesting experiences I’ve had in a while.
Also, tell your hunter friends about Baratta’s! I have no idea about costs or anything but I can bet most hunters would LOVE to have a keepsake like these.

My family and I walked by this place and stopped in. The owner was so, so friendly and helpful. The work he had on display was just beautiful, and the way he explained the process of how he tans the hides and finds the correct form was so interesting! My kids thought the place was really cool! Too bad I’m not into hunting itself.