Not since Wehrner Von Brown came to the States have we seen such a coup. Wallyhood was dutifully investigating this story, waiting until all the facts were in to report it, but prodding from tipster John has convinced us that we can not wait, we must go public now with the information we have, unanswered questions and all.
Archie McPhee’s is returning to Wallingford.
Yes, that epic maelstrom of Bacon band-aids, Nancy Pearl the Librarian Dolls, remaindered Chinese test-pilot uniforms and one-of-a-kind Pez dispensers is returning from its long exile to its (retail) birthplace: Wallingford.
According to our sources, the owner of the buildings that they now occupy passed away, and the family is selling the property rather than renewing leases. So it’s pack up the voodoo dolls and head East.
Their new home to be: the building now occupied by the liquor store at the corner of 45th and Stone way. Clearly, this begs two important questions:
- How will they adapt to the diminished footprint?
- Where will Wallingford get its hooch?
To the first question, David from Archie’s answers that “high level meetings are taking place to figure out how to get everything in there.”
The second question, however, remains unanswered. Don’t worry, though. Cub Reporter Wallyhood is on the case and will report back with the results of our sleuthing.
PS Sorry Ballard. Would it make you feel better if we sent over a Bag o’ Fairies?
I like Archie McPhee–it’s a great place to take relatives and other visitors. But really they sell a bunch of junk that I don’t need on a daily basis.
Liquor, however, is a necessity.
Pfft. Plastic gag crap, or single malt scotch and anejo tequila? There’s no contest. Legalize grocery sales of liquor NOW.
You are reporting a little late, you know.
http://www.myballard.com/2008/09/15/ballards-archie-mcphee-to-move/
Srcsmgrl– it’s hard to post an event on your blog if your blog doesn’t exist. Slack must be cut.
a) I don’t see an address in that myballard post, so this is pretty damn useful
b) Keep Wallingford full of liquor! I poked around the WSLCB site, but couldn’t find any mention of this.
Anonymous
First sentence: “Archie McPhee’s is moving to the NE corner of Stone Way and 45th in Wallingford, says store spokesman David Wahl. A liquor store currently occupies the site.” That is pretty specific.
And yes, I can give some slack that this blog wasn’t around, but this post makes it sound like the whole thing is a big mystery.
It’s a mystery to me until I figure it out. I plan to make some calls this week to find out what’s happening to our booze. I volunteer my bathtub for gin-making if it comes to it.
I agree with that Jordan! Let us know what you find out.
Wonder why they’re not moving into the building on the SE corner (where Beso del Sol used to be). Looks like the entire building’s empty – plenty of room for devil ducks. (mmmm…. Imagining an entire floor of the Mad Scientist department)
Hmm…this move is going to be hard on Not a Number. Wallingford propably does not need two gag-gift stores.