Well, the store is exactly as described…read more The shop has some cool and weird stuff. the employee was really helpful and friendly. Was a great distraction from a rainy afternoon.

The name kinda says it all, not really sure how this has evaded me for so long and why I didn't at…read moreleast just pop in to see what was up with this place. Small store front with extremely obscure things on display/for sale. Everything from skeletons to animal heads (taxidermy) to jewelry to books on science ..... a collection of art ... you name it, if it's kind of strange (or in this case odd) then it's got a home here. I don't really know how to approach pricing to say if it's good or bad ... I guess if you feel good about the price you're paying, then it must be pretty good. If you are wandering around...looking to kill some time .... may be worth a quick stop, you'll either like it or not, I don't think this is a place where there is an in between.

I've heard of the Brass Bear when I've been to a few estate sales. So when I looked over while…read moredriving by and saw it, I figured I'd check it out. Kind of a mistake. It's a pretty big store, and there is a lot to see. I'm sure there are many fabulous items, but it's not really a place to "stop in and check it out." I think you have to both be in the mood/frame-of-mind to really look at everything and have the time to do it. You could very easily spend all day there. "Just browsing" isn't going to cut it. That said, I had neither the time nor the inclination to spend the time to really give it a good shopping. Instead I found it overwhelming, so I just politely walked most of the aisles only looking at the things that really jumped out at me. Because it was a Saturday, there seemed to be a number of vendors there, so I'm sure there are some interesting stories to be told, and they could surely help if you're searching from something specific.

The Brass Bear has been around for a while and it's still one of the best antique malls regarding…read moreservice and helpfulness to customers. I asked one gentleman at the cashier's desk if he thought a Vendor would be willing to negotiate over price of a specific piece of furniture and he quickly responded, 'Let's give him a call right now.' And sure enough, the Vendor did in fact work with me on the price and I went home with a chair I really wanted. Actually, there is a little bit of everything that collectors hope to see at the Brass Bear at reasonable prices. In addition, parking is free and convenient at the front of the store. Stop by one day when you have a free hour to treat yourself.

On A Shoestring Trading located on Shades Crest Road in Bluff Park is like taking a trip back in…read moretime! The eclectic antique collection and selection is mind blowing, because there isn't a vacant spot anywhere in the house. There were all sorts of vintage glassware, crystal, dishes, shaving mugs, books, hand tools, hats, jewelry, window frames, lamps, paintings and on and on. It will take me more than one trip to see and process everything in the house. And lucky me because today - everything in the house was 25% off - everything. The Gentleman Owner is a most interesting person to meet as he shared the history of the house when I asked him when the house was built. I did make a small purchase today, but that's only because I'm still trying to process everything that I saw and what I want to purchase on my next visit. I will always value my trip to On A Shoestring Trading simply because I had the opportunity to meet the Owner. Such an experience! And there's enough free parking in front of the store, but you could park and walk from the nearby restaurants. I hope you will visit this place someday soon!

On-a-Shoestring... not sure where the name comes from... but cool shop…read more Really like this place as I tend to dig looking around old, antique-y places and such. Some might call that "antiquing" I just call it liking to look around old, antique-y places and such. This place is no different. There's literally stuff packed in every corner of the main level, the upstairs, the somewhat basement level as well as outside in the yard. There are plenty of windows, doors, shutters and other woodworks for re-purposing if you're into that. Most are fairly priced by comparison to other places. Overall however, the store can be a bit expensive in it's pricing. Also they only take cash or checks as forms of payment so if you're headed over here, be sure to take one or the other. Overall, great shop!

Today was my first time to visit this charming and wonderful place that happens to be referred to…read moreas a thrift store. And I met the most gracious gentleman sitting behind the counter when I paid cash for my purchases. I was pleasantly surprised when I was charged less than the sticker price on several of the items I chose. In addition, there was plenty of parking, because I visited the store on a very rainy Saturday just after lunchtime. I truly cannot wait to return to Fifty-Fifth Place, because it was one of those surprise blessings kinda moments in life.

I do not consider myself a "thrifter" at all. Honestly, I don't have the patience most of the time…read more However, I enjoy coming here when I get the chance. The staff are all volunteers and they are always so friendly and accommodating. This isn't a huge thrift store but there's lots to look through ( if you have that kind of time). I browsed a bit and found some really cool pieces for the low. Prices are hard to beat! They only take checks and cash. Sorry no credit cards accepted.

Great inventory. Very helpful staff. Will go back for more. Tricia loves what she does and it shows.read more

Love shopping here. So much to look at around every corner and with the new Art Gallery, so many…read moreupscale furnishings for your home. It's an overlooked treasure!

Service was with a smile .The selection here is unbelievable. Some very pricey items, while others…read moreare affordable. The one negative thing is they seem to be watching you. But absolutely worth going to..

This was such a great find. A nice antique store/mall. They have a ton of rooms and two floors and…read morethe people who work there were very nice. I found the prices to be reasonable and the selection amazing. You can just get lost in there for hours and I think that's what I'm planning on doing next time. I'm staying in this area. Definitely check this place out.

Passed by this store and decided to check out the vinyls. This is a nice consignment shop. I…read morepurchased a cd from one of the vendors. Affordable prices for the cd's.

Stopped by with my daughter with no intention of buying anything but two CDs and a sleeves of album…read moreholders later I am headed home. Servers were very friendly and welcoming at this spot. We have another pickers nearer to us and it has good stuff there too. You have to look around for bargains but normally something will catch your eye.

Wonderful little antique store. Great selection of antiques. I enjoyed browsing. Highly recommend.read more

My family was racially profiled here. Me and my 3 year old were walking around the store while my…read morehusband parted ways to look around. An elderly woman greeted me and my 3 year old with kindness and complimented us. We continued to browse while my husband overheard the woman telling the elderly man I'm assuming her husband to keep an eye on us. Being the only brown people in the store one can only assume it's for that reason. If you are a minority I do not recommend this place. Knowing the antique community is very small and not kindly to minorities. There are far better places that won't profile you in the Birmingham area

Irondale Pickers is a very nice place to spend a hour or two looking at the huge selection of…read moreantiques and not-so-much-antiques. The cashiers are very friendly and helpful too. And I agree with the other reviewers, the store is very neat and clean inside. I did notice that some of the vendor's prices are a little higher than other vendors, but that's life, because some grocery stores are a little higher than other grocery stores (I won't name names). And finally, there are plenty of parking spaces in front of the store, which makes things convenient. If you haven't already, checkout Irondale Pickers.

I do recommend this place for odds and ends items. Pickers is a store that has items of a classic…read morenature. This is a huge store with a variety of items to choose from, so you can spend a lot of time looking around. I like the used music department. The CDs are only $5. The cashiers are right by the front door and there's usually no wait. Come when you have time to explore the selections.

Better late than never. This review is really overdue from a month ago. I know I know …read more.... We were looking for a specific item but it wasn't here . I really enjoyed browsing the different rooms . They all were arranged nicely ... some nicer than others. Overall, the prices were reasonable. The staff was warm and welcoming. Even though I didn't buy anything on my very first visit here , I plan to come back soon to browse some more.

My husband and I stumbled upon this place as we were walking out of Big Lots. It's Sunday and we…read moredon't have much to do so we decided to venture into this store. The assistant manager immediately warmly greeted us and gave us some direction in regards to the different sections of the store. She also gave us a card that is stamped each time you make a purchase. After ten stamps, you get $50 off your purchase. As we walked through the store, we saw many interesting items, from furniture to jewelry to real fur coats. There was an African section and we knew right away that we'd be purchasing something from this section. We decided on an African djembe that was the painted with bright colors. It's going to look great in our living room. At check out, they request to see your driver's license if you're paying with a card, which is something I like. I definitely see myself coming back to this store. You should check it out!