AWFUL CUSTOMER SERVICE! Paul has had my item for 2 years now, it was listed at $450 and he has told me twice now (this year) that he'd send me a check for $150. to date, I have received ZERO! this is unethical business behavior and I've run out of patience with his excuses. will report to the better business bureau. read more

I went here recently because I was in the hunt for a new Yukata but stumbled so much beyond that. They were one of the shops at the Sakura Matsuri DC event that sold Kimonos/Yukatas/Obis, ect... First thing out of the way, Arise Bazaar is not easy to find but I made it easier to find. It's behind the shops in front as soon as you enter. Past the first row of places, immediately make a left and you'll see Arise. I think they did not have a sign at the time luckily it was not hard to spot ( there was a van that had cherry blossoms as a dead giveaway too ). Second, the person (Paul) who runs this shop does not open this shop frequently. If it is not a sale he is doing, most of the time you'd have to schedule an appointment for him to come out. It's a bit strange but since my visit was based on his IG post about a sale on everything in the store, it was enticing for me to check it out. They just have really limited hours so I highly suggest you go early. Third, while I am all for supporting Arise Bazaar, the items I got besides the Yukata might be on Amazon. I realized after buying my Clip On Obi that it's cheaper on there but I will leave that to your digression. That being said.. Walking in here, this is a warehouse full of antiques. From pottery to paintings, to kimonos/yukatas.. there's a lot going on here. Paul, the person who runs the store was kind enough to take time to show me where the Yukatas were at and left me to see what color scheme or design I wanted to try out. He was nice and even offered to help me put the yukata on. Since I wanted more than the Yukata, I also tried out the Clip on Obi he recommended. He was not really knowledgeable and tried his best to help me put it on securely but he offered to see if a staff member could come in to help assist in the future. After picking out the Yukata and the Clip on Obi, we looked at fans to buy and he was generous enough to let me get an extra fan as a gift. I think the total after the discount was around 200 which was a nice deal. My only complaint is that the store is very all over the place. Many boxes of things that could be out in display, there were Kimonos/Yukatas I did not get to check out and I wish I mentioned that sooner. Paul is also an expert of Kimonos, but if you wanted to get your kimono actually dressed professionally, he has to inquire with a staff member who's more prepared for that. I just found it a bit difficult to understand if it's your profession to be an expert but not be able to not tie a Kimono/Yukata. Perhaps I'm being a bit harsh but I want people to what to expect. Overall my experience was great, I do want to support the store despite knowing some items could be a bit pricier. Definitely a hidden gem if you are on the hunt for Japanese Antiques! read more

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Since my husband and I first visited Arise Bazaar in 2017 (the first of several visits), I'd have trouble counting how many wonderful pices we've purchase there: gorgeous early 1900s ceramics, authenticated Kawase Husui woodblocks, authenticated Imao Keinen ukiyo-e prints, vintage stencils for kimonos, mingei, and one incredible vintage sumi-e painting that has become the show-stopper piece of art in our house. (Unfortunately, my best efforts to get a full read of the artist's signature have proven unfruitful so far, so we have to say this is by an "anonymous artist," but I keep trying to find someone who can decode the inscriptions. I'll include a photo here.) I've read other reviews saying that this warehouse is a bit chock-a-block and hard to navigate. I would submit that a) the proprietor, Paul MacLardy, does most of his business at shows, which is to say: this is a *warehouse," b) if you tell Paul what you're interested in, he'll either locate it immediately in said warehouse, or remember what you're interested in and contact you if he finds what you want, however long that takes. (I have him on the lookout now for a great piece of kintsugi/kintsukuroi. If anyone can find it, it will be Paul.) c) the warehouse has been completely reorganized just this year, to make for a much easier browsing experience. I saw one reviewer take Paul to task for "not being Japanese." I don't want to dignify that with a response, except to say that Paul has encyclopedic knowledge of Japanese art and costume from all periods. He's even been called to the White House more than once to appraise Japanese art gifts! And he's literally "written the book" on kimono. Bottom line: I give this place five stars, and I'm sorry that anyone else has had anything less than a very positive experience. read more

Arise Bazaar - Antiques Near Me - Clinton, Maryland

Like most treasure hunts, the treasure isn't easy to find. The location can easily be overlooked but once you get inside, it's a trove! There's lots to look at, too much for just one trip. They specialize in Asian antiques but my wife and I went looking for kimono. The staff is very knowledgeable and were able to help her put together a stunning outfit for cherry blossom and showed her how to dress herself! Their prices are really reasonable for what you're getting so don't shy away from the sticker. The items and the knowledge you get about them are well worth it. read more

Arise Bazaar - The quaint store front - Antiques Near Me - Clinton, Maryland

I looked this place up when I was visiting family nearby. It was hard to find and then, once I was inside, I found it to be disorganized and kind of dirty. I was also thrown off when I realized it's owned by a white guy instead of Japanese people. This on top of the otherwise subpar experience did not help with my impression of the store, to say the least. I'll try to find Japanese-owned businesses to support for when I'm looking for their things. I suggest others do the same. Hopefully those will be easier to find than this place. read more

This is a one of a kind store with the best and largest collection of Japanese antiques. The store is not huge, but it is packed with Japanese and Asian antiques for any taste and budget. You can spend $20 or $2000 depending on your budget, but whatever you are looking for the owner Paul will bend over backwards to help you find it and provide you all the background and history of the item you could want. This is a Mom and Pop type operation that puts their resources into the product and not a fancy showroom that results in some very reasonable prices on items that you cannot find elsewhere in the area, or would pay 2 or 3 times more in a fancy boutique antique shop. read more

Great textiles and other goodies. You must love to hunt though and be ready to spend time going through the nooks and crannies of the space. Some silks are pricey but most are one of a kind. read more

What a letdown! This place is somewhat difficult to find and probably not worth the effort. Even after you get to the shopping center, you won't find the store as it's in a second shopping center hidden behind the first. Those of us who remember the old store in Takoma Park can't help but feeling sad. The Takoma Park store was spacious and well organized with multiple rooms that provided hours of browsing and enjoyment. Then Arise started moving all over Maryland and DC and finally ended up in this hidden strip mall with a store about half the size of a typical 7-Eleven. It's a hodgepodge of items, some displayed so carelessly as to be overlooked. While the Takoma Park store was open daily, this location is open just 4 hours a week and that's generous. Yes, there are some interesting finds here, but unless you live nearby, you'll feel very very sorry for the decline of this once great emporium of Asian goods. read more