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October 2023 by Sarah F.
This was my second time visiting west Lafayette, and I had some time to kill before meeting with my student so I decided to explore. Happened across this store and was excited to check it out, I was browsing the books, and walked to each different section, there were so many fun crystals, clothes and Knick nacks! I could have spent hours browsing, but I'm glad I was able to find some fun treasures! Can't wait to go back!
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July 2023 by emily f.
I used to shop here ALL the time but I cannot even go in here anymore because the workers are SO rude every time. The customer service is seriously terrible. Every time I go here you feel uncomfortable because workers will stare you down to make sure you are wearing a mask and it's staying above your nose. We are 3 years out from Covid and it's ridiculous we even still have to wear masks. It's ironic because they sell vibey and energetic things like crystals and hippie gear yet the staff gives off terrible vibes. Wouldn't recommend shipping here unfortunately. Very uncomfortable vibes.
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April 2023 by Anya L.
This honestly makes me sad. Precovid I used to shop here a lot. Like a lot a lot. I honestly the miss the place. But this far past COVID (2023) I no longer kept masks on my car so I can never go there. They seriously try and charge you to buy a mask if you don't have one. I don't use cash. Like at all. Like I have had cash in my person maybe 5 times in the last year. So I don't have the change to buy a mask. Like seriously! If you are going to be the only store to still require a mask then give them away for free. I haven't even tried to go in in a few months and every time I think about this store now it makes me so sad. I have so many happy memories of the place. I have been going since the first time my aunt and I went with her best friend when I was 12. I would spend birthday money and allowance there as a kid. Then real money when I had my first job. My first ever $100 purchase was at Von's. Going there was a family activity for us. Me, my aunt, unlce, 5 cousins and several family friends all shopped there from my childhood untill the pandemic. And now none of us shop there. What is the point of requiring a mask this far on? People are vaxed and living, working and shopping without masks and have been for like 2 years. I'm not going to purchase a mask just the shop in one store. And it honestly makes me sad that I have to miss out on the experience because I don't want to have that forced on me. I was all for masks during the pandemic. I even wore a mask for a while after the mandate ended. But we have gone back to the normal world. Or as much as we can. But they still want to force the fear on us. I honestly just see it as a way to rip customers off. I'm truly disappointed in the owners. A read a news story a few months back that they are worried they will go out of business and they seriously are choosing to loose their business over their desire to force masks on people and they insist it has nothing to do with that. Yet everyone o know who used to shop there has said the reason they no longer go is because of the mask thing. So we might loose a place that has been a staple of this town for longer than I have been alive. A place that I have loved for so long. All because the owners are having a tantrum about people not wanting their choices forced on them.
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January 2023 by Luke W.
This is the most iconic and hidden gem for the Purdue tourist and Midwest roadtrip break. What a collection! More museum with price tags than store, this endless intricately setup garage sale feels old school in all the right ways. You will easily need a good hour or two to trek over the creaky floorboards, bumble over curious oddities, and look over the huge assortment of mostly flower girl items. There are pleasant smells, shiny knickknacks, collectible trinkets, oddball clothing, unusual brands, funny gag gifts, and more t han enough books to stay off sleep for weeks. So many wonderfully random shelves loaded up on decorative stones and spiritually hopeful gems, an entire backroom stuffed full of every color to collect into one massive rock rainbow, my favorite has to be the massive perfect 350lb crystal sphere! Von's is one of those almost impossible places living up to the hype of essential college town rat trap without succumbing to overrated fads or cheesy trappings to trap tourists. My friends and I always enjoy the musty moldy book vibes here which enhances the visit. Parking is a trouble, as all of Purdue campus struggles to offer decent automobile options it is best to try a block around for free 2 hour parking during the week. Be sure to notice the green street signs stating what time limit and daily rules are enforced for your vehicle. Thankfully there is easy walking around and plenty of coffee shops and restaurants nearby to cater to caffeine needs and appetites. Don't forget to wonder downstairs!
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December 2022 by Lisa G.
Vons has all the things books, jewelry, clothes, wigs novelties! Customer service is great!! huge book selection!
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May 2022 by Mark Hickman
Little disappointing, went looking for some back stock and their selection was extremely limited
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December 2021 by D greyman
Awesome kitschy store that you can wander around in if your trying to kill a couple hours.
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June 2021 by Richard Jones
Not a bad location just not what I was expecting only a couple racks of comics the rest of the store was not even related to comics
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May 2021 by Scott M.
Von's is one of those places that you just have to experience for yourself because it's hard to capture its uniqueness in a review. First, there's a whole giant section of various greeting cards. Not just the same old tired cards that you see in every grocery store; there are plenty of different cards here so you don't end up sending the same birthday or anniversary card as everyone else who shops at Walmart. I like looking through the vinyl when I'm there. Lots of music to choose from, and if you're a music lover, it's fun to browse. I'm not a comic book guy, but there are a ton of comic books for people who are. It looks like a massive collection to my admittedly uninformed eye. I love the rock room. I always make sure I have time to explore the rocks. There is a huge selection for rockhounds... way more than I can take in at once. There are rough stones, polished stones, fossils... plenty to explore. So, yeah... the books. The books are the rabbit hole that catches me every time. I never get bored looking at their epic selection of books, and I find some treasure every time I go. Searching through the books brings me such joy and peace. Book lovers will relate. There are plenty of other things to see at Von's. A huge collection of beads; beads on strings as well as loose beads. Incense and essential oils. Unusual gifts. Too much to describe, and like I said at the beginning, something you just have to experience for yourself. Von's is an amazing place to spend some time and find things you didn't even know you were looking for.
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February 2021 by Dawn Blanchard
My go to for amazing semiprecious gemstones.... love this store!
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January 2021 by Henry R.
Beautiful layout and selection of unique goods. I often visit just to see something new, and find inspiration for crafts. I frequent the gemstone section, but there are a small selection of unique clothes, incense, baubles, wooden boxes, anything you probably wouldn't find in a usual store. Planning on visiting again!
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September 2020 by Annette B.
Wow, this shop just goes and goes! I was drawn in by their sidewalk sales and my major preference for physical media--especially books! As an independent store, their book prices are higher but I really wanted to get a few books to enjoy in my spare time after dealing with a chaotic move. The store is pretty cramped--not necessarily with people but because it is brimming with inventory. I picked up a few film history books (my favorite) on my first visit. I returned again and realized I missed a whole different level of the store! They have a full basement area, too, with even more materials! The rarer, older, and sale-priced books are hidden away here. Definitely gets a little claustrophobic down there but it's bibliophile heaven. In addition to books, Von's has CDs, records, rocks, toys, jewelry, craft supplies, office supplies, oddities, and a wide array of nicknacks. There's something for everyone here. I look forward to visiting again once their inventory has turned over a bit more.
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September 2020 by Emily A. C.
Used to be a 55555555 but have majorly gone DOWN Hill! Has a lot of cool stuff, but Quality is cheaper than it's EVER been, and things are ordered in bulk now Will elaborate more on this one later!
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August 2020 by Tami Highbaugh-Abdullah
great place to restock our gemstones. Amber is wonderful
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June 2020 by Alexia K.
Soooo many great things here. They've got books for days, jewelry, clothing, incense, rocks/crystals/shells, makeup, candles, metaphysical things, journals, trinkets, and SO so so much more. If you're in the area I highly recommend stopping by. And if you can, give yourself at least an hour to wonder around and take it all in. As soon as you think you've seen it all you'll discover another room filled with treasures just waiting to be explored.
