Valentine's Day At The Warehouse

Valentines Day is just 2 weeks away.

Vendors At The Warehouse have plenty of ways for you to surprise the love of your life.

A loaf of bread a jug of wine and thou beside me......just don't forget the corkscrew! Let The FamiLee Jewels help you celebrate your love.
Valentine's Day is very special to Fred and I. It is our wedding anniversary and this year we will have been married 33 years.
The FamiLee Jewels is offering a special package in honor of Valentine's day.
We have paired one of Fred's hand crafted combination wine stop corkscrew tools, a pair of wine charms and a gift bag for your wine.
All you have to add is the wine and the Valentine.
$29 gift boxed.
We have corkscrews available in ebony, deer antler, tulip wood, zebra wood, and cocobolo.
The wine stopper portion of the tool screws onto the handle covering the corkscrew.
The wine stopper piece is made of chrome covered brass. It is durable, tarnish free and will not impart any taste to your wine. Available February 1st-14th.

Alyson of Dreaming Lion Tarot will do a couples reading for 20 dollars during the month of February. The regular price is 35 dollars.Let Alyson use her gift of divination to help you gain insight to your lives and your relationship.

Perhaps your Valentine would appreciate Home Decor items created by in house artists from salvage, unique crocheted items by Andrea, pottery by Lars Turin, or a Narcissus garden to remind them of Spring.

The Effects Of The Economy On Home Decor

A recent article in the NY Times http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/29/garden/29industry.html?_r=1
illustrates how the housing crisis has effected the home decor business. With a fall in retail sales and a significant decrease in advertising revenue, businesses and magazines are closing at accelerated rates.

Merchants AT THE WAREHOUSE have to inform the customers that buying local, buying quality reuse items is a better way to preserve value and bolster the local economy. When you buy local, more money stays in the community. Buy a dresser made in China and where does your money go? Some goes back to China, some to local employees and some to the business (which may be owned by a corporation outside this area). Buy one AT THE WAREHOUSE and where does your money go. Well, it was purchased from someone locally who sold it to us outright or at auction. We get the money and after business expenses, spend it at local restaurants and other businesses.

In these times, BUY LOCAL is more important than ever. Though in some areas you may spend a little more, but more comes back to the community.

At The Warehouse, a place of surprises

You just never know what you will see At The Warehouse.

It is a place full of wonderful objects and interesting people.

A walk around the building will show you a life sized soft sculpture of Albert Einstein (that often has our cat Salvage sleeping in his lap), verdigrised pieces of the old Carnegie Mansion, and boxes of old clock parts.

Stop and chat with Carol Dratch-Kovler. She offers seeds and plants for sale as well as cards and decorative papers made with and decorated with flowers and seeds. She is happy to share her gardening expertise with you.

Bonnie and Ella of The FamiLee Jewels will tell you the story of any of their hand crafted jewelry pieces.

Allyson of Dreaming Lion Tarot is blessed with the gift of divination. Let her read your cards and help you with guidance for 2009.

Last Sunday At The Warehouse local Juggling performers Jeff Taveggia and his son Nick were practicing their craft. We totally enjoyed watching them toss the batons and Nick is quite accomplished on the unicycle! You can read more about Jeff and Nick, their Juggling and other bad habits at http://www.jeffthejuggler.com/ .

So stop down, peruse the treasures, have lunch in the Artifacts Cafe, you never know what you will find.

At The Warehouse Expanding Outdoor Market

Starting the first weekend in June 2009, the outdoor lot facing N. Ferry street will be transformed into a weekend Flea Market. Plans are to install 10 to 12 mini storage bins to accommodate vendors who wish to return weekly. The name for this new venue: ALBANY Flea, of course. You can follow the progress on the new website http://www.albanyflea.com

Not The Mall, and proud of it.

The Vendors At The Warehouse are not your everyday sales clerks. When you browse our unique and friendly environment you are talking to the creators of the lovely handcrafted products that you are admiring.

Stop at The Dreaming Lion. Allison will tell you how she handcrafts the beautiful dream catchers that are inspired by her mothers Native American heritage.

Talk to Mauri at Sistah's vintage aprons. Mauri has designed her products to represent different decades of American history. her aprons have names and she will introduce you.

Jules and Cindy of Bee's on Earth will invite you to sample honey from Albany bees. Honey that Urban Beekeepers Cindy and her husband Ken harvest from the hives that they keep.

Lars Turin will talk to you about the physical and creative processes that it takes to complete one of his fabulous bowls.

Bonnie, Becky and Ella at The FamiLee Jewels can tell you the story of the jewelry that interests you....what it's made of and what inspired it, because they make it themselves.

Andrea will be knitting or crocheting as she explains the benefits of her beautiful hats and scarves.

Taquiah's enthusiasm for her herbal and floral body lotions and oils is hard to resist. She believes in Body and Soul products because she makes them.

At The Warehouse also offers locally grown and bottled specialty food items including Sundaes Best fudge sauces, Spacey Tracey pickles, mustard and olive oil from Cascade Mountain Wineries and Dominick's organic pasta sauces.

Camille and Fred can tell you where they found all the wonderful antiques and salvage items that they sell in the Warehouse.

Meet Amy Pollicino the staff artist responsible for many of the embellished items sold by Silver Fox .

Visit At The Warehouse this last shopping weekend before Christmas. You will be pleased to find high quality, artisan produced goods sold in a unique and friendly environment.

By the way bring your appetite, because Tom and Nicole of Sophisti-Catering have been making some fabulous soups and breads for their cold weather menu.

Weathering The Financial Storm

Like a huge grey cloud in the distance, reaching towards the upper limits of the atmosphere, we know the storm isn't far away. That's how the current financial crisis is for those not affected yet. Though twinges of it have hit AT THE WAREHOUSE, I don't think we have felt the impact of other businesses. What can we do to keep the people coming. I have a few suggestions. First, staying unique and evolving to fit the times. Let customer know that most of what is found there can only be found there, whether it's jewelry, furniture, local honey, custom made aprons, or antiques. If you want jewelry everyone else is wearing, then the mall is for you. Keep prices reasonable. Money is tighter than ever and value is appreciated. Remain friendly and engage the people who come in. Not to lure them to your booth, but to find out how they heard of us. Let them know about the place and that food is available. Then let them wander. Our silent policy has always been not to be a "car salesman." See what it did to the big three? Just kidding. And always remember to promote the place. If every vendor can attract two new people per month, our growth will be noticed. Take some flyers and find a local spot to leave them (with permission). Thanks. Fred

15 Days Until Christmas

At The Warehouse can help you with your Holiday shopping. Our unique vendors sell quality handcrafted items that are locally produced.

Honey it's cold outside so heat things up with one of Body and Soul's silky sweet smelling body wash and lotions. They come in an array of scents such as kiwi, cucumber melon and mango madness. Gift sets are available for the Holidays. bath oils and bodywashes set in beautiful bottles provide just the sparkle to say I love you.

The FamiLee Jewels invite you to shop their selection of wire wrapped and beaded jewelry for the ladies on your list. They are including special holiday packaging for a beautiful presentation.

Carol Kovler's Christmas Narcissus packaged in collectible pottery would make a great hostess gift. Just add water and grow.

Book's from Bluebird Bookshop make excellant stocking stuffers.

Andrea's knitwear is perfect for cold winter weather. Stop in and get a warm and cozy crocheted hat or scarf for yourself or your little one. Andrea has fruit an veggie hats made from super thick acrylic yarn-totally cute and completely washable. She also offers brand new and great for gift giving- felted soaps. A bar of handmade soap is felted into a small pouch. The wool is hypoallergenic and makes a great exfolliant, plus it shrinks with the soap so it's always a perfect fit.

Avoid the mall and shop in a fun and friendly atmosphere with plenty of up close parking and products that are sure to please.