April Fool & Penny Too

This is a great place with very unique items. You would expect the prices to reflect an «I don’t care if it sells, this is the price attitude» but the prices are actually fair and reasonable.
This would be a great place to get that gift for your someone who has everything. Fun store.

This is a place I’d almost rather not review because I want to keep it all to myself, but for the sake of fellow Unilocalers, here goes…
If you’re looking for vintage china tea cups, old Chinese wood boxes, folk art, or if you just like to browse in antique stores, then this is a great place to check out.
My reluctance in sharing this info is that perhaps you’ll come in next time before me and purchase, say, a nicely preserved solid cedar chest from the 60s for only $ 125. Oh wait, I just got that last week. So maybe you’ll snag some lovely bone china tea cups made by Ansley in England for anywhere from $ 25 – 50 each. Wait, I just got those too, or at least all the ones with ample gilding. Well, then, perhaps you might beat me to that Japanese hand painted screen circa 1900 that’s gently worn and completely intact…
This place has a little bit of everything. Though you couldn’t tell from the way it’s arranged, different vendors are displaying their wares for you. One of them travels to China a few times a year and brings back great wooden boxes. Another scouts all the local estate sales and finds chests and dressers and there’s currently an absolutely adorable quilted yellow velvet Victorian fainting couch available, but you better hurry on that one.
Port Townsend is isolated. Prices here are much lower than prices in big cities and some of the deals I stumble upon boggle the mind. This is a place I check when I am looking for something specific but otherwise I need to stay away because I always find something I want.
The ladies are all very nice and happy to offer more information on an item or just advice on where to eat for lunch. Stop in and say hello.

This is another must place to go when I visit PT. They have great cards, jewelry, books, gifts… so many things to list. I love visiting with their resident cat… my kids and I have been coming there every time we go downtown just to see their cat and dog for about 8 years now. And, I always end up buying one of their beautiful, antique looking beaded necklaces every single time!
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Update 8÷12÷07
One of my favorite destinations in PT. The only place I get my vintage looking funky jewelry and to get to pet the resident 19 year old cutie pie dark brown snowshoe cat with the little white mittens.

This wonderful store is alive with history and energy — not to mention about the largest assemblage of really cool merchandise you will ever find in one store. First of all, the space was originally a Saloon and Brothel during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Somehow it has escaped remodeling and aspects of its original use abound. (The fact that this former brothel was located in the Clapp Building must have raised more than a few eyebrows). The merchandise covers just about everything imaginable — nice costume jewelry, women’s scarves, fun books, stationary items and cards, glassware, antiques, lace curtains, toys, and the list goes on. Don’t fail to check out their Bargain Mezzanine — and while you are on your way up the stairs you can see up into the 2^nd floor where the «girls» used to parade around for their prospective” johns.” Don’t try to go up there, because it is a private apartment. But it is a great peek into Port Townsend’s rowdy past. The owner is usually there, and her staff of employees reflect her outgoing nature. Don’t be surprised if they ask your name and then remember it the next time you come in. April Fool is not only friendly, but a totally captivating Port Townsend institution! This reviewer considers it a «destination» not just another «place to go.»
January 12, 2012
UPDATE: They are NOT closed. Although after one of the owners sadly passed away, her sister/​partner, Penny, has kept the business open. It is no longer just a single outlet operation, but it has various venders that sell their items there. The same standard of quality remains and you will not find stuff that should be in some smelly thrift shop. The same friendly atmosphere remains… you will barely notice a change.