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February 2024 by Xin Ni
A super magical place! Definitely will go back again.
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June 2023 by Olivia Dobberstein
An absolutely magical thrift store that the owner shared with me has been open for over 40 years! I could not recommend it enough
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May 2023 by Sarah Newman
Very cute!
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August 2022 by Liberty L
The store times need to be updated to reflect accuracy.
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February 2022 by Abraham
Super narrow and packed with unique finds. So many weird collectibles and a drink stirrer drawer?? Such a fun visit for a lazy Sunday after brunch. I've been fascinated with this place since coming to the city years ago.(**Picture is from 2018)
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September 2021 by Arlo Tanenbaum
Just the best, things you won’t find anywhere else from vintage maps to pins to sculptures. Spent probably an hour in the very small shop.
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April 2021 by Lisa J.
Circa Gallery is a rabbit hole thrift store in the best way possible. From the uncanny mannequin of the little girl displayed on the sidewalk outside to the seasonal displays carefully curated in the windows to the narrow aisles packed with, well, everything, this is a second-hand treasure seekers must-check-out shop. You will want to take your time perusing the shelves of glassware, jewelry, knick-knacks, cigar boxes, dolls, books, trinket boxes, DVDs, & CDs, & ephemera of all kinds. For the art students looking for found objects for shadow boxes & mixed-media pieces, there's a lot to comb through here. If you are looking specifically for used classical & Broadway musical CDs, this is a good resource for that kind of music. I donated 8 wooden cigar boxes to Circa, & Michael, the owner let me have a catalogue on the surrealist Yves Tanguy as a trade. Much appreciated! He's cool to chat with. His shop is a labor of love & collecting. Check it out. I asked permission from Michael if I could take a picture of the mannequin girl. Voila.
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December 2018 by Kate J.
This is a stunning collection of various pieces of American history and certainly worth a visit. The collection certainly gets 5 stars, as every piece is immaculate and the books are in pristine collection. Certainly worth stopping. I do hope the management can learn customer service. I entered because the shop looked charming and I wanted to buy unique gifts for family this Christmas. I have been to shops like this before with "no photos" signs, which I follow. This shop had no signs. No one said hello when I came in, someone went to take a dog for a walk. No problem. I was taking a few photos to decide what gifts to get, texting other family members to decide what to get. There were no humans in the photos, and nothing was art. At one point the man behind the counter said "you should really ask before you take pictures." I apologized and asked if I should delete them. He said no then went on to tell me that at my age I should know how to be polite. I apologized again and told him that some oddity shops like photos used on social media and there was no sign. He then went on to tell me I should know better, which resulted in him telling me that I can't take criticism. It was a bizarre interaction. He told me to leave, which is his right. So I left without buying anything. It was an odd interaction and I hope that they put up a sign if photos are something they do not want taken. I hope that the 5 stars is "polite" enough for them.
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November 2018 by Charlotte Touey
Irregularly-opening temple to cultural refuse. Film posters, magazine advertisements, political and novelty buttons, used books, hats, and cloth reproductions of ukiyo-e prints are piled atop one another in rust and dust. The film collection consists of genre DVD rereleases, with uniform packaging distinguished only by low-resolution poster art on the covers. I've always been able to find meaningful gifts here. In groups, it is easy to laugh at, and alone it takes on a mystic quality. One of the better pieces of gay art produced in the last century.
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January 2012 by Lauren S.
Score one more point for this kick-ass stretch of Sansom St. I walked by Circa Gallery many times and absentmindedly wondered what it was before finally wandering in one day. Turns out it's a thrift/vintage shop-- and the best kind. It's packed from top to bottom with interesting books, curiosities, housewares, clothing and memorabilia. If you come in looking for something specific, I'm not sure you'll find it, but I bet you'll find at least one really unique thing you didn't know you needed until now. The owner also does a great job of displaying seasonal items out front for Halloween and other holidays. I have a hunch this is a labor of love -- perhaps the owner owns the building as well -- because I can't see this little under-the-radar shop bringing in enough money to pay Rittenhouse rent. Regardless, I'm certainly glad it's there.
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January 2008 by Matthew D.
i know i'll regret sharing this shopping secret... one part thrift store, one part curio cabinet, the circa gallery is set apart from others in both its sheer volume and material focus. greeted by collectors & dumspter divers alike each and every day, the owner hand-selects the pieces he wants to purchase for his store. what impressed me most here is the theme he's created with his taste, which lies somewhere between pack rat and industrial designer... small, detailed, balanced, and curious items line the floor, walls, surfaces, and ceilings in this cramped little store. amongst the wares included are: pots, toys, figurines, souvenirs, cast-offs, mechanical items, picture frame, boxes of all sizes, old cameras, perfume bottles, boas, desk accessories and much much more.
