Celebrating the curious

MILFORD - You take a step back in time when you venture into the Curiosity Shoppe at 108 East Ann Street, next to the Milford Diner. There is 1400 square feet of vintage 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s furniture and clothing, hats, costume jewelry, dolls, lamps, and much more. “When customers come in here they think they’ve been transported back in time to Grandma’s house”, exclaimed Dottie Matsumoto, owner of the Curiosity Shoppe. Dottie, who was an assistant Vice President for the Bank of Tokyo, let her hobby of collecting “old stuff” take over and become a full time business. There are several specialty rooms set up in the Curiosity Shoppe. There is the “boudoir room” which has a large assortment of women’s coats, hats, other clothing, and lots of feminine accessories from days gone by. There is a “doll room” which had a corner wall unit full of antique dolls as well as some new ones. Scattered throughout the entire store was period furniture comprised of tables, chairs, lamps, desks, and dressers; all in remarkable condition. At the front of the store there is a glass display case that has an array of authentic and costume jewelry displayed at reasonable prices. “If this $850 dresser were in some other shop it might be selling for as much as $1,200 to $1,300. I try to keep my prices very reasonable because I know that customers who are knowledgeable about antique furniture will appreciate that I have good bargains”, said Dottie. The Curiosity Shoppe is a wonderfully laid out antique and collectibles store with lighting making the atmosphere nostalgic and warm.