Pago Pago Auction

Tuesday, May24

Man, this whole thing happened so fast! By the time I found out Pago Pago was closing, it was already closed. I work about a mile from this place & at about 11:45, one of my employees says: " Hey, Rick. I just drove by the Pago Pago & they're having an auction!" CRAP!!!! I jumped in my truck & headed down there. The auction started at 11:00, so I missed the Tiki over the door, (I really wanted that), & the Tiki swag lamps. The two, amazing, tortoise shells were taken home by Paul, the owner. He told me the story of driving to New York to buy them. He said they were made by Otagiri. I came away with five high-back, rattan chairs, two tables, seven faux bamboo wall sconces & a couple of menus. Paul said the sconces were original to the restaurant, which opened in 1972. It really was a bitter-sweet day for me. I'd much rather still be able to "Hit the Pago" whenever I wanted, but at least, I'll always have a piece of this place. When I returned to pick up my stuff, I made sure to shake Paul's hand & thank him for his hospitality. On my way out, he gave me a couple of glass candle holders for the tables I bought. I really am not sure how I'm going to incorporate these things into my lounge, but I just could not walk away empty-handed. Three of the sconces are for sale for $50.00 each. If you're interested, please contact me. I'll also be posting them on Tiki Central.

Sigh! R.I.P. Pago Pago

Pago Pago Closing

Monday, May23
Found out, via Tiki Central, that the Pago Pago in Milford was closing. Another sad day for New England Tikiphiles & Poly-Pop lovers. I had some good times here, back in the 80's. My only hope, now is to somehow save a little piece of this place for my lounge.

Cooky Press

Monday, May23
I worked in Springfield, today, cleaning a neglected store. On the way home, I stopped at the Yankee Flea Market in Palmer & scored this NIB Mirro Cooky & Pastry Press for a mere $8.00. Yes, I'm a Kustom driving, Auto Parts selling, hockey playing guy, but I've also got just a touch of June Cleaver in me! HAHA I guess if you watch as many episodes of Leave It To Beaver as I have, it's bound to happen!

Ralph's Diner Aloha Shirt

Sunday, May 22
Loaded up the trunk of the '59 & headed to a small Hot Rod show at Ralph's Diner in Worcester. Not a ton of cars & the music was awful, but I made a little money & scored this vintage Ui Maikai Aloha Shirt for 10 smackers! That put a smile on my face!

Borders Closing

Saturday, May 21
Found out yesterday that the Borders near me was closing. I've bought quite a few books from them over the past 10 years & they always have the magazines I want, i.e.: Atomic Ranch, Traditional Rod & Kulture, etc. So, I thought I'd head over there for a look at the sales. There wasn't much left, but I did score this magazine rack for 20 bucks! It's gonna be perfect for displaying my collection of Vintage Speed Catalogs. It's pretty sad when I'm lamenting the closing of a mega-chain. I really wish there was a good Mom & Pop bookstore around here. I'm really sick of the Wal-Martization of America. When given a choice, I always choose the little guy, even if I have to pay 10-20% more. I get better service & I'm investing in the way America once was & should still be. Sigh! Anyway, here's a couple pics of my collection.

Thrifting

Thursday, May 19.
I don't get to thrift as much as I would like to, because the nearest thrifts are 20-30 minutes away from me. When I do manage to get out, I always seem to get skunked. This day, miraculously., I managed to find 2 small items. A rocks glass from Huke Lau in Chicopee, Mass & a neat , open-top, glass block. I think they were worth the $2.68 I laid out for them & hopefully, will serve as encouragement the next time I go thrifting.

Spring Brimfield Day 3

Friday May 13
Last day of shopping for me at the Spring Brimfield Flea Market. It's a good thing, too, cuz I must've walked 50 miles! Just found one thing I couldn't live without, today, this "Drag Strip" game by Milton Bradley. A good deal for 20 bucks. The cover graphics are great & the game pieces are killer Fuel Altered cars. To play, you line up your 4 cars on the starting line & shoot the marble up & around to drag your car to the finish line. The player that gets all his cars to the finish first wins. My kids were hooked on it right away. haha