A giant jackalope with light-up eyes sits on top of the sign. That alone tells you the shopping inside won’t be ordinary.
The store sells antique jewelry, and some of it is made from human hair. You’ll also find old medical tools, full skeletons, and taxidermy that ranges from cute to wonderfully strange.
I like how every corner gets arranged by theme or color, almost like a museum exhibit. Nearly two dozen dealers share one roof here in Texas.
That means the hunting never really ends, and the shelves get restocked every single day.
I can’t imagine leaving with just one small trinket. The real question is simple.
How much room is left in your trunk, and how strong is your willpower today?
An Emporium Of Transcendent Junk Is Waiting For You
Few shops proudly call themselves an emporium of transcendent junk. Uncommon Objects owns that title with a wink and a whole lot of style.
The store is an antique collective in Austin. Around two dozen dealers fill the space with finds sourced from estate sales, flea markets, barn sales, and antique shows.
That mix keeps things lively. One booth might lean toward rustic furniture, while the next shows off glassware, figurines, or old signs.
The shop opened back in 1991, so it has had decades to sharpen its eye. Founder Steve Wiman started it with business partner Ed Gage, and he later became the sole owner.
What makes it special is the attitude behind every display. The mission celebrates folk arts, parlor crafts, and items with real patina and clever old repairs.
In other words, a chipped edge isn’t a flaw here. It’s part of the story.
I believe that mindset changes how you shop. You stop hunting for perfect and start looking for character.
Plan to slow down once you arrive. Rushing through a place like this feels a bit like speed-reading a great novel, and nobody wins that way.
Bring A Friend Who Loves The Wonderfully Weird
A terrier that looks a lot like Toto from The Wizard of Oz has been spotted among the taxidermy here. Good luck walking past that without pointing.
The oddities collection is a big reason people make the trip. You can find taxidermy, complete skeletons, life-sized giraffe statues, and displays that feel delightfully surreal.
Not into the spooky side? No problem at all.
The strange pieces sit right alongside cheerful vintage toys and gadgets. That balance keeps the mood more curious than creepy.
Old medical instruments add another layer of wonder. Some look like they belong in a history class, and others make you very thankful for modern doctors.
Biology posters and antlers round out the natural history vibe. Together, they turn certain corners into a mini cabinet of curiosities.
My advice is simple. Take a friend who laughs easily, because you’ll want someone to share every jaw-dropping find with.
Also, keep your camera handy if photos are welcome. Some of these displays deserve a second look later, especially when you’re trying to describe them to someone back home.
Every Shelf Looks Like It Was Styled For A Magazine
Color coordination is serious business at this shop. Displays often get grouped by shade or theme, so a shelf might glow with matching blues or warm rusty tones.
That polished look comes from the owner’s background. Steve Wiman is an assemblage artist with a Master of Fine Arts in studio art from the University of Texas.
He once worked as a prop-finder for the Chili’s restaurant chain. That job helped train his eye for objects with personality.
His love of texture, color, and patina shapes the whole store. He also draws inspiration from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s idea of finding beauty in everyday things.
You can feel that idea everywhere. A rusty tin or faded photo suddenly looks like art when it sits beside the right neighbors.
This styling helps your brain too. Instead of digging through messy piles, you can actually see what’s there and picture it in your own home.
I like how the store teaches decorating without saying a word. Pay attention to the groupings, and you might leave with fresh ideas even if your hands stay empty.
Jewelry Fans Should Save Extra Time For The Cases
Victorian hair jewelry sounds strange until you learn its story. People once wove locks of hair into keepsakes to remember someone they loved.
Uncommon Objects carries antique jewelry, and some pieces are made with human hair. It’s a quirky slice of history you can actually hold.
Of course, not every piece is that unusual. The jewelry selection also covers rings, brooches, and other antique finds that work for everyday wear.
Belt buckles pop up here too. They’re a fun choice if you want something with a little Texas swagger.
Jewelry is a smart category for trunk-conscious shoppers. It’s small, special, and doesn’t need a moving truck to get home.
Since everything is one of a kind, hesitation can sting. If a ring fits and makes you smile, that might be your sign.
Just remember that all sales are final. There are no exchanges, returns, or store credits, so check sizes and clasps before you buy.
A careful look now saves regret later. Then you can wear your new old treasure proudly.
Your Walls Might Get A Whole New Personality
Blank walls at home? This place has a cure for that.
Classic movie posters, old maps, and vintage photographs fill plenty of space throughout the store. Nostalgic signage adds bold color and big personality.
Old photos are especially fun to browse. Strangers from decades ago stare back, and you can’t help inventing stories about their lives.
Maps bring a different kind of charm. They work beautifully in an office, a hallway, or anywhere that needs a little adventure.
Artwork shows up in many forms as well. You’ll see framed pieces, folk art, and items that blur the line between decoration and conversation starter.
A vintage sign can completely change a room. Hang one in a kitchen or game room, and it instantly feels like it has a backstory.
Here’s a practical tip for wall shoppers. Measure your open spaces before leaving the house and save the numbers in your phone.
Larger frames also need careful packing. Bring a blanket for the trunk so your new poster arrives home without a single scratch.
Make Room For Furniture That Has Already Lived A Little
Here’s where that empty trunk really matters. Mid-century furniture and rustic pieces live among the smaller treasures, ready for a second life.
A sleek chair from decades ago can look surprisingly fresh today. Rustic cabinets and tables bring warmth that brand-new furniture rarely matches.
Then there are the pinball machines. They’re loud in spirit even when they’re standing still, and they make any game room cooler.
Big pieces call for some planning. Measure your doorways at home, plus the cargo space in your car, before falling head over heels for a dresser.
I believe furniture with history just feels different. Small dings and worn finishes hint at years of family dinners and late-night card games.
The shop’s mission actually celebrates that wear. Ingenious old repairs and genuine patina count as features, not problems to hide.
Shopping this way is also kind to the planet. The store calls itself the ultimate green shopping experience because everything here gets reused instead of tossed.
So go ahead and feel good about that new old sideboard. Your living room and the earth both win.
Set Aside Hours Because The Maze Keeps Going
Time behaves oddly inside a curated maze. One minute you’re looking at glassware, and suddenly an hour has disappeared.
Many visitors report spending several hours exploring Uncommon Objects. With booths from about two dozen dealers, that makes complete sense.
Each booth has its own personality. One might feel like a grandmother’s parlor, while another feels like a science lab from long ago.
Because restocking happens daily, a second loop can reveal new things. That’s a dangerous fact for anyone who claims they’re just looking.
Wear comfy shoes for this adventure. You’ll be standing, crouching, and craning your neck toward high shelves.
A loose plan helps too. Some people do a quick first lap, then return to the booths that caught their eye.
Hours run from 10 AM to 6 PM every day of the week. Arriving earlier gives you breathing room to wander without watching the clock.
Honestly, rushing here is like skipping dessert at a birthday party. You technically can, but why would you want to?
Got Old Treasures At Home? The Shop Might Buy Them
Your attic could be hiding the next great display piece. Uncommon Objects buys antiques from the public, as long as the items were made before 1970.
Calling ahead is the smart first move. Buyers are often around on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday mornings.
Bring small items with you in person. For larger pieces, photos work instead, which saves your back a lot of trouble.
Have a price in mind before you go. The shop doesn’t offer appraisals, so you’ll want a rough idea of your item’s value.
ID is required too. Sellers need a valid driver’s license plus another form of identification.
This is a fun twist on the empty trunk idea. You could arrive with a trunk full of grandma’s treasures and leave with a trunk full of new ones.
It also connects you to the store’s whole spirit. Items get a fresh audience instead of collecting dust in a garage.
That’s the beauty of a reuse loop. Old things keep moving, and somebody new gets to fall for them.
Plan Your South Austin Trip Before Inventory Changes Again
Online shopping won’t help you here. The shop doesn’t sell online, so every treasure requires a real visit.
You’ll find Uncommon Objects at 1602 Fort View Rd, Austin, TX 78704. It sits in South Austin near the Fortview shopping area.
The store didn’t always live there. It began on South Congress Avenue in the 1990s, then moved to its current, larger space.
That bigger home helps explain the hours people spend inside. More room means more booths, more displays, and more chances to fall for something.
The shop has earned national attention too. Harper’s Bazaar named it a Best Treasure Trove, and it has appeared in GQ, Vogue, Southern Living, and Martha Stewart.
Artists, interior designers, and movie set designers also turn to the store for inspiration. That says a lot about how unique the inventory is.
Texas has plenty of antique stops, but few feel this artistic. So clear out the trunk, pack a moving blanket, and head over with an open mind.
Just keep an eye on the jackalope. It’s watching.
