Old Towne Orange July 5th, 2002

Old Town Orange is a small commercial district in the old part of the city of Orange. Located where Chapman Ave crosses Glassel St., it is a fun combination of nostalgia, kitsch and some terrific shopping. At its center is a circular plaza with a small tree-lined park. This plaza is surrounded be some small shops, restaurants and an old bank building that houses a Starbucks. Andie & I left the kids at my parents house - just a few blocks away - and went shopping. We really enjoyed just looking around. A few of the shops - an old theater converted into a Christian Center and a men's clothing store called "Sir Wicket" which offers outfits that I can't imagine anyone actually wearing - are fun if for no other reason than their out-and-out strangeness.

If you enjoy antiqueing, this place is a must. There are several antique stores offering everything from old junk and tchotchkes to memorabilia to fine antiques. There are two stores that offer refurbished jukeboxes & vending machines and the like. There is an old-fashioned pharmacy that actually has a real, working soda fountain. We spent well over an hour in one store alone - "Country Roads Antiques and Gardens". This is actually a co-op of several vendors who set up displays. The store is huge and very well laid out. We actually didn't buy anything, but that was mostly out of our desire not to get anything we'd have to bring back. If you enjoy exploring towns with a little history, and especially if you like antiqueing, then you should do yourself a favor and break away from all the theme parks for a day and visit Old Towne Orange.

Country Roads	Old theater is now a Christian Center
Shopping at Country Roads	Looking down on the first floor from mezzanine
Sir Wicket

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