Right along the New York and New Jersey border, where Rockland County, New York, meets Bergen County towns like Mahwah, Wow! That’s Unusual! has built a loyal following as a genuine treasure-hunting destination. The shop sits at 22 Lafayette Avenue in Suffern, New York, just a short drive from Mahwah, and draws shoppers from both sides of the state line who are willing to cross a border for a good find.
Owner Steve runs the shop with a hands-on, personal style that reviewers mention again and again. He’s described as outgoing, helpful, and genuinely willing to make a deal, the kind of shopkeeper who remembers regulars and enjoys talking through the story behind a piece rather than simply ringing up a sale. That approach fits the shop’s identity as a true eclectic mix rather than a narrowly focused antique store: rare coins, vintage vinyl records, postage stamps, jewelry, toys, CDs, glassware, and vintage clothing all share space on the shelves, alongside more conventional antiques and collectibles. Consignment options let local sellers bring in their own items, which keeps the inventory constantly turning over and means regulars can genuinely expect something different on each visit.
Pricing is consistently described as fair, with some shoppers specifically recalling exceptional deals on vinyl records selling for as little as fifty cents each, a detail that speaks to the shop’s bargain-hunting reputation as much as its selection of higher-value collectibles like coins and jewelry. The shop also accepts donations of used items, giving it a secondary role as an informal community drop-off point for people looking to pass along things they no longer need rather than simply discard them.
Hours run generously into the evening on several days, a schedule better suited to after-work browsing than many antique shops that close by late afternoon: open daily, with hours extending as late as 8 or even 10 p.m. on certain days, and a shorter Sunday schedule. Street parking near the shop makes it an easy, low-friction stop for anyone passing through Suffern’s commercial stretch, whether coming from Rockland County or crossing over from nearby Mahwah and the surrounding Bergen County suburbs.
Because the shop leans so heavily on consignment, the mix of goods shifts week to week in a way that most single-owner antique stores never do, which is part of why longtime customers make repeat trips rather than treating a single visit as enough. For anyone chasing a specific vinyl record, a rare coin, or simply the thrill of not knowing what they’ll find until they walk in, Wow! That’s Unusual! delivers on the promise of its name. Wow! That’s Unusual! is an eclectic consignment and collectibles shop in Suffern, New York, near the Mahwah, New Jersey border, known for owner Steve’s personal touch and a constantly rotating mix of coins, records, stamps, and antiques at fair prices.
