Exploring an Antique Mall + A Special Foodie Treat

Yes!  We did do something other than our ‘exciting’ visit to Lauritzen Gardens and continuously eat when we visited our son and his family this past May.  David II took us to a unique shopping destination.  I’m not a shopper per se but I do enjoy shopping at a quality antique store or consignment ‘mall’. 

This is Omaha's Brass Armadillo Antique Mall.  Unlike most antique shops or dealer based malls, this shopping/browsing destination occupies an impressive 30,000 square feet of space.

While we already have too much vintage stuff and antiques, it never hurts to look does it?  Anything we buy would be small or it might be a gift for someone else…  In any case, we love to see unusual or collectable 'stuff'.

There were a few aisles at the Brass Armadillo…long aisles…where many of the booth occupants/vendors have their ‘valuables’ are all secured in these tall glass cases.  The items in these cases tended to be small collectibles ranging from medals, to sports cards/memorabilia to coins/currency, a plethora of action figures, and die cast cars/vehicles…including “Dinky Toys”, “Matchbox” and “Hot Wheels” models. 

FYI, in case you are curious about the estimated prices of specific models of these popular toys, here are a couple of examples: Matchbox Quarry Truck $15,000; Dinky W.E. Boyce Delivery Van $24,450, and; a ‘miss-painted’ Hot Wheels 1968 Chevy Camaro $100,000. 

What are you interested in?  Variety is the word at The Brass Armadillo.  After all, this antique mall isn’t home for a few dealers, but rather 375 dealers selling just about anything that you can think of.  I noted some interesting military memorabilia, beer related collectables, advertising items, posters and stacks of vinyl records…actually a hot item these days.

This particular booth is loaded with small ceramic collectables, (including a huge selection of rabbits), themed plastic and ceramic cups, and even themed aprons.  My mother would have gone overboard here as she had a rabbit fetish going on…  

How about taxidermy animal heads, skulls, bones, pelts, related artistic items…and more!  Note the glass and ceramic collectables in that mirror with that old geezer taking a photo…

Perhaps these items aren’t what you’re seeking.  How about cow collections, an old washboard, antique and vintage furniture, paintings/prints, books, comics, baskets, board games, oddities, old phones, luggage, cameras or canning jars?  Few collectors, or even those just seeking décor items will wander through these aisles and not see something that piques their interest.

I included this photo just to provide another image that can give you an idea of just how extensive…how large, this antique mall actually is.  The items I can identify in this photo include coke collectables, beer steins, old beer bottles…empty and full, glassware, wall décor, vintage clothing, bird houses and even a vintage washing machine.

Do you have a den, game room or business where you need signs and related décor to set the ambiance?  While these signs do appear to mostly be reprints, recreations or are about current new products, this is the place to fulfill your theme.

Here is the front desk at The Brass Armadillo…where you make your purchases.  Note the happy enthusiastic employees!  The fellow with the beard, braided hair and headband is actually holding our purchases, limited as they were.  Laurie picked up a “Barbie Doll” for her great nieces and I was happy as I was able to find a few old postcards to add to my collection. 

It’s especially hard to find postcards that meet my requirements unless I shop on-line, where the prices are bonkers.  My collection requires that postcards still have their postage attached and I need to be able to see the date the postcard was mailed…1920 or earlier.  In addition, the topic/picture has to draw my interest.  My preferences include but aren’t limited to trains, boats, trucks, cars, streetcars, airplanes (planes up to 1960) and interesting city or historical landscapes. 

In addition to normal shopping hours, The Brass Armadillo also hosts seminars, workshops, training events and social gatherings.  The idea is to connect dealers and shoppers who share the love for all things that are antique or vintage. 

Believe it or not, there are six (6) Brass Armadillo locations.  In addition to Omaha they are in Kansas City MO (400 dealers), Des Moines IA (400 dealers, Denver CO (600 dealers, and there are 2 locations in Phoenix AZ. (550 dealers and 600 dealers) Omaha is the smallest location!

The Brass Armadillo in Omaha Nebraska is located at 10666 Sapp Brothers Drive.  Phone: 402-896-9140.  Website: https://brassarmadillo.com/.

Next stop…something to eat at a place that fits into the antique or vintage experience following our shopping at The Brass Armadillo.  David II had never been to Orsi’s Italian Bakery and Pizzeria, but he had heard about it…and knowing that both Laurie and I love old time foodie joints, he’d set this destination for our lunch.

This restaurant and bakery was founded in 1919 by World War I veteran Alfonso Orsi.  This bakery and pizzeria is one of the last remnants of Omaha’s ‘Little Italy’.  For over 100 years, their Italian twist bread and hearty Sicilia-style pizza have been a community staple.  Orsi’s is still a family operation after all these years.

In reality, Orsi’s is a take-out operation, although there is seating and tables where one can eat their pizzas.  Customers place their order at the counter from either the menu board or a printed take-out menu.  We noted that most of the customers were regulars and many stopped to chat with the owner while waiting for their orders.  Along one wall you can see photos and mementos from years passed including celebrity diners.  Further along the wall one can find a variety of mostly Italian specialty food items…

How important and beloved is this local food icon?  In 1997, a fire gutted the bakery and destroyed the livelihood of the Orsi family.  But the community rallied around the family.  They helped clean up the rubble and raise funds to rebuild the bakery in the same location…and so the story and the food continues…

We ordered 2 pizzas, one with just cheese and one with pepperoni and cheese.  Jim, the owner, also insisted that we couldn’t just order the pizza but we had to try his cheese garlic bread…no charge for it either!  The pizza was very good indeed, as was the cheese garlic bread.

But, my favorite food experience at Orsi’s was an item that sadly, they just don’t offer for sale.  Maybe because I’m an old guy, or perhaps he ‘might have noticed’ that I’m ‘into’ food, he decided to make up a sandwich for me with his fresh Italian bread and a selection of Italian cold cuts and cheese.  It was amazing!  Laurie and David II can verify my opinion as I did give each of them a small taste…just a bite…of my sandwich.  No photo though... I liked it so much that I downed it before even thinking about taking a picture!

I took this photo of our son, David II, and our grandson/new graduate, Emmett Lee as we waited for our pizzas.  The whole experience, Jim, his regulars, the tradition and the food…provided a true quality moment.

In many ways, Orsi’s Italian Bakery and Pizzeria is really a local Italian Grocery.  In addition to the pizza, goudarooni (double crusted pizza) and garlic cheese bread, Orsi’s offers 13 different meats and 14 different cheeses to go…1/4 lb. minimum.  Then there are 7 different breads available as well as 15 types of pasta, a selection of olives and peppers…and much more.

Orsi’s Italian Bakery and Pizzeria is located at 521 Pacific Street in Omaha Nebraska.  Phone: 402-345-3438.  Website: https://orsibakery.com/.  

Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them…

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave