Fishs Eddy, the eclectic emporium straddling Union Square and the Flatiron District, may be the worst-kept secret for New Yorkers in the market for budget-friendly, mix-and-match tableware.
But the charming destination, which has been around since 1986, has managed to keep one thing (mostly) under wraps: its hidden "vintage plate museum" tucked upstairs. Now, owner Julie Gaines is officially opening it up to the public.
Stacked with thousands of treasures Gaines has amassed over the past four decades of scouring, the space is a trove of nostalgia, featuring mugs, pitchers, plates, and more stamped with the names of long-gone restaurants, Ivy League crests, and retro company logos.
As Gaines likes to say, Fishs Eddy is the "world's smallest museum with the world's biggest gift shop."
While she began bringing some lucky customers up to view the special collection over the last two years, Gaines is now announcing public tours on the store's Instagram.
Tablescape enthusiasts and dinnerware historians, this one's for you.
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