Living in the hipster epicentre around here, I knew it was inevitable Ferndale/Royal Oak would see a Name & Name store appear. Would it be Willow & Fig, Pig & Ebony or Black & Sail to open up? Fortunately none of the randomly generated hipster shops debuted on Washington. Instead the swanky, tea-drinking hipster pirates came into port.
Rail and Anchor is, unquestionably, a place for the gentleman with a taste for pleasures of the past, the woman with an eye for the uncommon treasure, and the child who wants old school toys without bells and whistles, thank you, Mother. It does speak to a slice of society whom appreciate doing it themselves, erudite jokes, and natural scents. The people who want to be different and stand out from the crowd often cluster in here, giving looks of quiet approval and -- more often -- relief after seeing those earthy shelves and raw wood displays.
It's perilous ground to tread, between authentic and kitsch, a stereotype and the real deal. Rail and Anchor is very much the real deal as a unique gift shop catering to unusual finds. Some of these brands are beloved for quirky and unusual gifts, like Kirkegaard and Fred for kitchen goods, drink decorations, and tongue-in-cheek mustache references. Brooklyn Brewing's popular DIY beer, cider, and whiskey kits are hot sellers. I lament missing out on their gin. Other lines are unique to Michigan or less known, but no less delightful for their choices.
The maritime spirit is evident, but not crushing, which I appreciate even as a girl from the West Coast who lived half her childhood on commuter ferry boats. You won't trip over a pile of rope, but mermaid book ends do squash some cloth-bound volumes, and the sailing ship decorated plates are definitely a popular item. There is a buoy in the front window, spangled in necklaces and cacti and other seasonally interesting objects. The cloth and weatherproof nylon sailing ship mobiles meant to hang out your back door are admittedly gorgeous and nautical, but plenty of lovely other secrets tucked away.
Give yourself time for the housewares section in particular. The tables and shelves hold far more items than meet the eye, and only a few choices for each one. Poke through the flotsam and salt-and-pepper-shaker jetsam, like you would comb the beach for pretty stones. Maybe "Das Kapital" piggybank was something you could never live without or you need a solar-powered Einstein bobble head in your life. Stranger things have happened. Rail & Anchor comes up with so many funky finds, you deserve to spend a good hour perusing. And that's what this shop rewards, the slow and casual regard at all levels. Don't settle for everything at eye level, squat down and get a look at the fish dish.
Men's grooming supplies naturally are going to be found in a place like this. Hello, hipster pirates. How else will they maintain a glorious curtain of whiskers? The soaps and razors are fairly priced, and I wouldn't mind some expansion since my beau, who currently sports an epic Bavarian mustache, really quite likes the waxes and shaving soaps, but could use a few more scents. Sandalwood and bay rum resin anyone? Beyond are more lotions and potions for the ladies and the household, while the man-creams are in a particularly nice variety of scents that lean woodsy, spicy, and plain manly. Tobacco and citron beats apple cinnamon Glade fresheners any day.
What you won't find are many garments, and accessories are limited largely to a pretty selection of natural jewelry, like wire-wrapped semi-precious stones or wooden discs threaded on bracelets that don't look out of place in the Rust Belt Market stalls. Hipster clothes would be overkill given how which they stock in the shop, so be glad for more space for miniature cacti and some really marvelous plant pots, by season.
Tea is another staple that might be unexpected. Free samples are often served up. Not to your tastes? Go help yourself to a DIY cheese-making kit and let your foodie aspirations sail free towards the nearest horizon.
I give special props to the kid's section. Lots of old-timey favourites are here. So if you want to inflict a new game on your kids or go encourage those lazy layabouts in your family to get some fresh air and learn self-sufficiency in the backyard while assailed by cheeky coyotes, this is the place to do it. Solid wood toys abound. Harmonicas? Check. Other delightful noisemakers? Check. Lots of 'how to be crafty' books and some with an outright dirty edge for the big kids make great stocking stuffers under the right circumstances.
In short, this is my go to shop for most of my family, many friends, and anyone from the West Coast, Denver, or a combination of the three. Go in. You'll be amused at the very least by all the delightful diversions they've got. read more