Top 5 Things For Sale at Antiques Etc.

Previously:

Choctaw Welcome Center - -  Sam Noble Museum Gift Shop

Cherokee Trading Post  - -  Cloverleaf

Small-ish towns typically try to broker their small-ish nature with the goal of increasing tourist interest (and tourist dollars).  One of the more common ways to do this is with Ye Olde Antique Shop™ (or Shoppes, preferably).  And it's with this unnecessary factoid that we begin yet another "Top 5 Things For Sale at..." entry.  Today we visit Antiques Etc. in Ardmore.  Let's go...

5.  Ardmore Matchbook & Postcard

I tell ya, man, ya gotta get into ephemera if you want to start picking up souvenirs.  It's cheaper that collectible spoons or shot glasses and takes up much less space.  There was tons of this stuff in the store but I picked these two due to the local connection (and because they were right next to each other...what?  I'm not being lazy...YOU'RE being lazy!!)

4.  Famous Oklahoma Indian Glasses

Forget your Burger King Return of the Jedi glasses, these are older and rarer.  From the late 50's, the "Famous Oklahoma Indian" glass set was designed by Native American artist Blue Eagle.  The store didn't have a complete set but there were several options available to start your Oklahoma themed promo glasses collection.

3.  Dick Tracy Whitman Big Little Book

Big Little Books were all the rage for decades and featured popular characters of the day including Mickey Mouse, Batman and Dick Tracy, who was created by Pawnee Oklahoma native Chester Gould.  This one is from 1967 and has the hard boiled detective facing "Facey."

2.  Chicken in the Rough Postcard

What did I tell you about ephemera?  It's the best!  Chicken in the Rough was a chain of chicken joints founded in Oklahoma City.  (And apparently there are three of them left.)  There's a lot going on with this postcard, from the brag(?) that they serve a half a fried chicken "unjointed" and with no silverware, to the little chick that is "gladly" offering himself up to be fried.  I'm not sure he's thought that through.

1.  Oklahoma Souvenir Plate

The mother of all old school keepsakes was the souvenir plate.  They used to be offered everywhere that might be considered a destination (or on a way to a destination) and celebrated things like the Golden Gate Bridge, the Statue of Liberty and everything in between.  The Oklahoma plate celebrates the Land Run, Will Rogers and a few other Okie milestones.

Now that the antiquing is done we'll just hit the local tea room for a Cobb Salad, find a restroom and then pile back into the RV to head to the next small town... 

Top 5 Things for Sale at the Choctaw Welcome Center

Previously:

Top 5 Things For Sale at the Sam Noble Museum Gift Shop

Top 5 Things for Sale at Cherokee Trading Post

Top 5 Things for Sale at Cloverleaf

Crossing state lines is typically celebrated by a quick stop at the "Welcome Center."  These can range from surprisingly elaborate to disappointingly drab.  Typically, the beckoning of free coffee and pamphlets are more than enough to press pause on the road trip but occasionally a place will go above and beyond...like the Choctaw Welcome Center in Colbert, OK.  So lets take a look inside to see what souvenirs we can take with us along the ride.

5.  Fry Bread Recipe Magnet

The traditional Native American treat is great to make tacos with or to pour some honey on.  And this magnetized beauty will guarantee that you always have the recipe on hand.  It's definitely a uniquely Oklahoman keepsake.

4.  Sports Related Feathers

What stands out here is the selection between OU Sooners and Dallas Cowboys.  The Welcome Center is right on the Texas border so it makes sense to include America's team but the exclusion of the OSU Cowboys?  Maybe they're sold out?  Regardless, these add a great Oklahoma flair to any sports fan's decor.

3.  Achukma Pecan Oil

Seen any good Fry Bread recipes lately?  If so, you'll probably need some oil.  These guys are made by a company called "Native American Specialty Products", which I'm REALLY hoping is not some subsidiary of a huge corporation owned by white dudes but rather a mom & pop operation staffed by a hard working native family.  Either way, I'm not going to try to find out.  I can't handle another let down.

2.  Vienna Sausage & Cracker Snack

I don't know why this appeals to me so much but I love it.  I spend a lot of time on the road and a lot of time eating road food from various gas stations, so when someone puts even the smallest effort into offering a different kind of snack I really appreciate the effort.  This comes with a side of small town Oklahoma charm.

1.  Bigfoot Charm

I've said it before and prepare to hear it again, but Oklahoma does NOT take enough advantage of the Bigfoot sightings that happen throughout the state.  So of all the handmade "charms" available, this is the one that caught my eye.  And, yes, I choose to believe that it's made from authentic, genuine Sasquatch hair.  Prove me wrong!  (Please don't)

Top 5 Things for Sale at Cherokee Trading Post

The Cherokee Trading Post is a classic type of old school souvenir shop.  Located along I-40 near El Reno, it's got a long history, Route 66 proximity and a classic road trip "must stop" pedigree.  These days it includes a gas station and restaurant but the main draw for me was the Oklahoma souvenirs.

So, as I've done several times before, it was time to pick the Top 5 Things For Sale at this roadside icon.  Of course, these aren't the priciest items or the flashiest but each stood out for having a unique Oklahoma charm.  So let's get started:

5.  Oklahoma Sour Sidekicks (featuring Bigfoot)

Not enough is made of Oklahoma's resident woodland denizen.  Sure, his official status is "urban legend" and his personal appearances tend to be exclusively in blurry photographs, but there are plenty of folks who not only swear that he's real but that he also lives in Oklahoma.  With that, a bag of Bigfoot Sour Sidekicks makes a perfect road trip snack.

4.  Twirl-A-Rope

Let's face it, doing lasso tricks is hard.  Unless you're Will Rogers or Steve Martin, it's going to take a fair amount of time to get good.  The other alternative is to stop by here and pick up a "Twirl-A-Rope."  Depending on your skill level, you can choose "The Dogie" or "The Cowboy."  Yee-haw!

3.  Pet Tornado 

Sure the Pet Rock was a great concept but let's face it, it didn't really do anything.   But now you have a new pet...a pet tornado.  Just shake it and watch it do its thing.  Believe me, you'll be the calmest tornado witness in Oklahoma.  It's nice to be in control for once.

2.  Oklahoma Toothpick Holder

The best kind of souvenir is the kind that's functional.  That way it doesn't just rot away in your junk drawer, it actually serves a purpose in your everyday life and reminds you of that place you went to that time.  You also gotta eat, right?  Anyway, long story short:  here's an Oklahoma Toothpick Holder.

1.  Oklahoma Christmas Tree Ornament

Why not bring a little Oklahoma pride into the "most wonderful time of the year"?  The 46th state can be the 1st Christmas decoration that adorns your yearly yuletide celebration.  I like the idea of ornaments that have a specific meaning as opposed to generic holly or garlands.  And there's no interpretation necessary with this beauty.

So the next time you need a little more Sooner State in your life, you know what to do.