Saturday, August 15, 2009

The Carriage Trade


The term, "carriage trade" refers to the wealthier members of society. It is natural then, that this store, called The Carriage Trade, is the proud purveyor of quality goods.

The store is very large, and features used furniture of all kinds, as well as knickknacks and paintings, etc. We haven't been inside for awhile, but it used to have a hair salon and a restaurant on the second floor.

Some of their furniture is of the antique variety, but all of it is solid and substantial and fairly costly.

We've shopped here on several occasions, but have yet to make a purchase.

I have no idea why some furniture has been moved out front on the sidewalk.

28 comments:

Rob said...

"We've shopped here on several occasions, but have yet to make a purchase."

I call that a successful shopping excursion. Perhaps displaying goods out in the sun is a trendy new way to make a sale.

James said...

Sounds like a very interesting place. Next time I'm in town and in the market for "unique lingerie" I'll go in. :-)

I could use a desk like that one, mine is too small and clutterd. I'd probably clutter up a bigger desk too.

Lee Spangler said...

Maybe consumers could get "clunker" $$. The furniture stores are hurting at least as badly as auto dealer had been, but I won't go any further.

Cezar and Léia said...

Do they also sell new furniture?
Cezar

VP said...

Funny image, it is really strange to see this serious furniture stranded on the pavement, very good catch.

cieldequimper said...

To get a nice and healthy tan of course! I would love to go in there!

eamon@ewmphotography said...

I've never heard that term before. Do you happen to know its etymology, Jacob?

GreensboroDailyPhoto said...

I'll bet the carriage trade is suffering a little in this economy. Looks like they have nice furniture, however!

Lois said...

They are really taking a chance leaving that furniture out there this time of year! I would hate to see it get rained on. It's beautiful though!

Leif Hagen said...

The furniture outside on the street drew my attention! I might not have stopped my stroll down the street for a look inside otherwise. Voila! I think you need a new desk for your study, Jacob ....

Marie said...

I have learned a new expression (carriage trade). Yesterday I was with British friends. I learned "up a gum tree" and "dribs and drabs".

Thank you very much, Jacob. You helped me again. It worked. I even think I could reduce the width to 740 or 720......

Mary Helen said...

Looks like a great place to shop..even if only window shopping

Lowell said...

Hi Marie - so glad it worked for you. Yes, you could reduce the width more, but I think your photos are limited to the size you put there. I don't think I'd go below 750 just to make sure you've got enough room. As I've said, my photos are usually 725px on the long side...

Have a great evening!

Small City Scenes said...

I like the desk. Maybe it is outside waiting for me to pick it up. OR---how about a posh sidewalk sale. MB

Memphis MOJO said...

Interesting shot. My first thought was that it was out there to be picked up. I can see, however, a price tag, so that doesn't make sense.

Lowell said...

@ Eamon - I'm not sure, but I would guess it has to do with the fact that, in the olden days, the wealthier members of society were driven to and fro in glorious carriages while the rest of us slogged through sodden, muddy streets on our own two feet...

Lowell said...

@ Cezar - I don't think I've ever seen any new furniture inside...some pieces look like new, though. It really is a fun place to wander about, even if you don't buy anything.

They used to have a great big horse in the front section of the store. I don't think that's there anymore.

Lowell said...

@ James - that's funny because I have the same problem...no matter how big my "office" or desk, it is soon buried in books and computers, scanners, printers, etc.

Must be some sort of law of physics.

Judy said...

I'd love to shop in that store. I may not make a purchase but it's fun to look.

Rose said...

I had not heard the term carriage trade that I can remember, so didn't know what to expect. I would love looking through that store just to see.

eamon@ewmphotography said...

Thanks Jacob. Yes, I guessed where 'carriage' came from, but the collocation of 'trade' is what intrigues me. Something to to with the wealthy members being traders...? I'm grasping, but there must be a good narrative behind this phrase.

Kate said...

Buying furniture is always an exciting process!

Jacob, I've always enjoyed reading your comments on the blogs I visit. I also enjoy the description of your own blog on the sidebar.


I'm vacationing on an island in Wisconsin and get a very poor internet signal. I'll be back whenever I can!

Lowell said...

@ Eamon - Okay, I'm stumped. Darn. First time that's ever happened! ;-))

D said...

Never heard that term before. Probably because I've never been numbered among those folks! Looks like they're having a sidewalk sale.
Thanks for your "pun"ny comment on my cemetery skywatch post!

EG CameraGirl said...

I really enjoy looking around a store like this one although I must admit I don't need any more furniture in my house.

Lisa Wilson said...

Maybe the items outside are on clearance! That is a pretty desk. Probably still expensive, though.

Dan J. said...

An interesting lesson. I had never heard that term before. I too am surprised by the idea of putting expensive furniture out on a sidewalk. I guess whatever works.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the interesting discussion about the Carriage Trade name and store. To answer some of your questions, yes, we do have some new pieces but it is difficult to tell the difference. The store receives a truckload of used furniture each weekday and that furniture on the sidewalk has just been unloaded and not moved inside yet. The big horse and carriage is still on display inside! Come and see us!

"Photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing and when they have vanished there is no contrivance on earth which can make them come back again." — Henri Cartier-Bresson