Junky Stores

Don't Trash my Favorite Summer Shopping Outlet - by Susan

A number of years ago, my friend Heidi christened these "beach variety" stores as "Junky Stores" and it's pretty easy to figure out why. We would make an annual pilgrimage to them the day after school let out to replenish our summer supply of beach toys for our little kids. But really..... it's needed junk.

Every summer even us locals need to restock some of our summer stuff.. a new beach chair, a shark-shaped inflatable (Last year a bunch of teenagers pushed one underwater so just the fin was showing and screamed - not too scary since we were at a LAKE - but not everyone saw the humor.) or a beach cart (very handy when you have kids with you). I know you can get all these gems at Ocean State or other similar places but Junky Stores are one-stop beach shopping (and more).

Certainly a lot of tourists come here without beach paraphernalia so they need to make a quick trip to the local Junky Store. Often, on my annual trip to pick up towels and a new chair, I've seen them standing out in the Junky Store parking lot looking amazed and often taking pictures of the stores in all their glory. You're not in Kansas any more Dorothy! And they surely don't have Junky Stores in Kansas (is there water in Kansas?).

Now in truth, Junky Stores seem to proliferate in beach side communities. I've been to them in Wildwood, NJ; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; the Outer Banks; and Hampton Beach, NH. But ours just seem to have a whole lot more clutter and variety. Stumble upon a junky store and you know the beach is not far away.

On top of carrying the largest variety of inflatables you have ever seen, they have all sorts of other beach necessities: heaps of gifts, tons of Cape Cod type signs (I happen to collect signs), and copious amounts of other crap (and crap is the right word).

Now that my daughter can drive, we don't make trips to the Junky Store together any more. But I went down the other day for a lobster hat (don’t ask) and found a whole lot of other good junk:

Wooden Indians, t-shirts, lots of pirate stuff, framed Cape "artwork," alot of items that could be used for Halloween costumes or themed parties, tons of flip flops, surf boards, magnets.. well you get the idea. The very best part about Junky Stores.. they are full of bargains.

If you have not been to a Junky Store yet, put it on your list of things to do because they have finds that are not to be missed. One of the bigger ones is down in Wellfleet but there are some wicked good ones on Rt. 28 in Yarmouth and Dennis. If you go once, a return visit is guaranteed.