Thrifting Time! Ep. 15: Some Things Should Stay In The 1980s! | Retail Archaeology

Thrifting Time! Ep. 15: Some Things Should Stay In The 190s!
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[@ricki_thompson]

Be careful with putting hot liquids in the Batman mug! I had a Riddler one that shattered with boiling water. I was so bummed when it broke into pieces.

[@HorologicRannygazoo]

The Bruce Willis cassette has a #5 hit, "Respect Yourself", which is a cover tune that was in heavy rotation on radio and MTV. The album itself is certified Gold. Totally digging the Toe Jam and Earl and Sonic music, lol. Another great episode, man, thanks.

[@mikew1507]

Do you know what song is playing at 09:15? It sounds like a Sonic song, but I don't know which one...

[@HorologicRannygazoo]

@@mikew1507 Marble Zone from the original Sonic the Hedgehog(1991). I shouldn't still know that, lol.

[@mikew1507]

@@HorologicRannygazoo Thank you! We're all guilty of having "useless knowledge" taking up some brain storage lol. I can still name the first 151 Pokemon :P . Thanks again!

[@CharonsNightmare]

There'S a reason they call him "blues willis" 😎 (I think i remember having read he's quiet the good mouth harmonica player?)

[@abbafan50986]

The Bruce Willis album sold well in the UK too where it reached number 4 in the album chart. Two of the singles went top 10 here as well, Respect Yourself and Bruce's version of Under the Boardwalk, the latter of which went to number 2 in the singles chart!

[@ThisDoesNotCompute]

I had that same Dream Machine growing up, though it was dark grey instead of beige. I think my parents still have it in their guest bedroom. I also had that Lego storage box, though I kinda hated it because the weird lid made it tough to fish out the piece I needed (or dump them all on the floor).

[@amirmoradi9595]

That old wifi sign could be from someone's old air bnb

[@amirmoradi9595]

Haha my mom's been searching for that batman mug for years. I also used to have that alarm clock by my bedside for a while. That mug is a really good find.

[@ShannonBrownauthor]

You might say that sizzler really sizzled. I'll let myself out.

[@R32R38]

The sign outside the old Sizzler refers to a "pad site," which seems to me that the landlord will demolish the building and rent out the site on which it stood.

[@slebdad]

When you picked up that first clock and spoke about your parents having one, I immediately remembered the same one in my parents room. That Bruce Willis record actually did pretty well for him. Respect Yourself was a pretty big hit.

[@steveosk8s]

My parents STILL have that clock lol

[@dsouth7754]

Oh man, we had those projectors in my elementary school. This was still back in the mid-late 90's where overhead projectors still weren't commonplace. In fact, while my high school was undergoing rennovations, I remember that these were still the dumb thing in my freshman year and part of my sophomore (some classes in the finished wings, some in the older sections). It wasn't really until my junior year when the school was basically finished remodeling were projectors in every classroom. Millions of dollars of rennovations, and they shuttered it class of '11 and moved all the students into town. It's reopened since as an elementary school, but goddamn, it leaves you feeling hollow whenever you think about how your high school doesn't exist anymore.

[@williamharris8367]

I remember using overhead projectors in my senior year of undergrad (1992). By the time I started grad school (1998), PowerPoint had essentially taken over.

[@agenericaccount3935]

That couch print is busier than public transit seat fabric. Grandma tolerates no graffiti or body fluid stains.

[@yanks1fan09]

Bruce Willis did Respect Yourself on that album.

[@kenkobra]

That was the only song I remember him singing. This was when all the actors (Eddie Murphy, Don Johson, and so on) wanted to be singers.

[@yanks1fan09]

@@kenkobra The one song they each sang was pretty good though.

[@wendyokoopa7048]

His under the boardwalk wasn't that bad

[@TR47]

It relies heavily on The Pointer Sisters doing backup vocals, he can't sing.

[@pinball541]

Memories Erik, "Steak, Seafood, Salad - SIZZLER!" I love seeing the old Sierra software myself, "Lionel Traintown" was always my favorite Sierra game.🚂 Was the second Goodwill & Sizzler on Alma School near Fiesta Mall, & loved the Sonic Music in the video as well.👍

[@JazzyBabe56]

that was fun! I can't go into a thrift without getting sidetracked in the clothing - my hobby is sewing and some items provide me with much needed materials...so watching what you are looking for is a great change for me..

[@bhrfrd123]

I got a huge laugh from the Dream Machine. I got one exactly like that as a Christmas present when I was in Junior high in the mid 90s. I still have it and use it to wake me up every day...still works perfectly even though it is getting close to 30 years old. And it isn't missing the battery cover - mine never had one.

[@PaulWon]

6:48 they still make Polaroid film for the sx70 and 600.

[@cadywilson5556]

I really enjoy these thrift store vids. I would like to see another vid of Horizon Thrift. That Batman Forever mug is awesome, btw 😎

[@seatspud]

In the Lego box? It's Benny! "SPACESHIP!"

[@tjpanepinto6660]

That Sizzler is right across the street from my apartment! I saw the News when it caught fire. So sad! But loved int so much more back in the day when it use to be a Pancho's Mexican Buffet restaurant!:-)

[@jefferypardue7509]

Let's not forget that David Hasselhoff is also a musician who is quite famous for doing a concert at the Berlin Wall and is super popular in Germany that's why on Spotify he's played with a bunch of German artists.

[@jeffrapier947]

The best mug I've ever found here in Portland is a 1978 Garfield McDonald's mug. Amazingly in perfect condition, the comic isn't scratched or chipped at all.

[@utubepunk]

Those are pretty cool & colorful. Are they glass or plastic?

[@dharma_dude]

They actually started making Polaroid film again a couple of years ago! From what I understand a company bought some old Polaroid manufacturing machines & warehouses so it's very similar or nearly identical to the original stuff. It's a bit pricey since it's a niche product but it's worth checking out, 100% compatible with the original cameras too. And from what I read it's not just the 600 film they're producing, they have a few of the other types of film for the other lines of instant cameras Polaroid made.

[@cindyharre1967]

Yep. Basically, some former employees and enthusiasts bought the very last factory due to be decommissioned, and slowly resurrected the film. Originally called Impossible Project, and then Polaroid Originals, and now just Polaroid, they have 600 film, SX-70, i-Type, and even 8 inch by 10 inch film, still being made. The film isn't really the same anymore (for legal reasons of dangerous chemicals), but it's fun. I enjoy the way taking and keeping the photos actually makes me look at the photos I take more than I do when I take quick snaps with my phone. Polaroid cameras are a great cheap thrift/collectible, I have....way too many. I got a Polaroid work ID camera off of Shopgoodwill that came from Retail Archaeology's neck of the woods. It's giant and looks like a weird beige robot, haha. The cameras last!

[@M50A1]

I really want one of those cameras now

[@lestera34]

“The Return of Bruno” is Patrick Bateman’s “favorite compact disc”.

[@cuddlesthetiger-mallsnmore]

Thrifting Time always fills me with nostalgic euphoria. I love collecting older alarm clocks. I have a BSR Timer model X10, and it's beautiful. It has all these options for controlling the power in your home, but I've never fiddled with that part. But it's wood grained and emanates 70s aesthetic. Btw, loved the sizzled out Sizzler in your video

[@douglasgriffiths3534]

I still have a Dream Machine alarm clock, but mine is a cube, and it's red. I got it as a gift from a friend of my ex's. Works great still, with battery or plugged in. I still have a landline house phone, complete with an answering machine hooked up. I don't have a smartphone, and never will. Those things have tracking devices in them, and they scare me. They're George Orwell's "1984" come to life. Big Brother is watching you. And the landline is much cheaper. My phone is made by the Swatch watch company, and I've had it and the answering machine since the 80s. (Jan Griffiths).

[@phins13td]

Great commentary at 2:29, that was hilarious

[@pinball541]

Bit of advice, when you encounter vintage sofas. Check under the cushions & down the sides. You have a great chance to find money that was hidden by the previous owner, & the family forgot to check before it was donated.👍

[@jtlovescodelyoko]

Thrifting Time is the always the best time.

[@bravotronalpha3787]

Sizzler was actually one of my favorite places to go as a kid. In the podunk desert town I grew up in, it was quite a treat when my parents would bring me and my sister there. I still find them enjoyable as an adult although admittedly, I don't go out to eat very much anymore and their prices are 'ok'. Just depends on when you catch them.

[@williamharris8367]

In about the mid-1980s, a Sizzler opened a locarion in a neighboring city. It was located a fair distance away, but we went there fairly often during its short existence.

[@mb8987]

I looked it up on Spotify and it came right up. I think he was trying to be Huey Lewis and the news. You are right, should have stayed in the 80’s!

[@KershawIII]

Surprised you didn’t give Everquest the attention it deserves lol

[@arthurford6598]

I've been watching retail archaeology for a while and I can always never wait for all the good stuff to come out

[@gravityimage5]

Capsela was one of my favorites. I'd recommend picking some of these items up, I'm sure some of your viewers would be willing to buy them.

[@ginakhorsandpour4699]

Sizzler was the one thing I remember as a kid and I work in goodwill in jersey and the ones u go to are much nicer than the one I work in

[@mikekz4489]

I still have my two Lego cases from when I was a kid. I’ve only heard one song by Bruce Willis, the song “Respect Yourself”. It is so awkward, possibly the worst of the actor sung pop songs from the 1980s. The sleep aid machine display looks like the kind of thing they have at Bed, Bath and Beyond.

[@litigioussociety4249]

Vandalism is a crime. I would not say all graffiti is vandalism, but most is, because it's usually altering the paint job on private property.

[@platterjockey]

Thanks for reminding me of how old I am. yes, Bruce Willis had a hid single on Motown Records with a cover version of the Staple Singers song "Respect Yourself".

[@XyneTrell]

Caspsela...That was a time for me. My 5th grade teacher (One of such a few amazing teachers) rewarded students by being able to play with these things. I liked it so much I got sets for Christmas and birthdays for a couple years. I was always trying to figure out how much I could pull or carry, or how fast I could go on land or sea. It expanded with each new addition and I was building parts and using other toys to help. A crazy amazing toy set I have so many memories from. So of course they are just sitting in my attic in a bin on a shelf.

[@d.b.gaston665]

I kinda want an overhead projector even though I have no idea what I would do with it.

[@alexandrajones6931]

with the sony alarm clock it looks like it's been in a smokers house. a magic eraser and all purpose clenaer (in a very small amounts) or even just a paper towel with the all purpose cleaner will clean it up wonderfully.

[@Ram-2112]

I just moved a block away from the Bookmans/Goodwill. According to Sizzler they are going to repair and reopen but I think that building is a loss. Plus the location wasn't doing good before the fire anyways

[@DanielsRetail]

I always go to that second goodwill because its close to me & I saw the sizzler fenced up & still there

[@AmbientWalking]

Wow! This is so fun!

[@Rawrg]

Horizon closed last week. I worked there and it was a mess. The owner had no idea how to run a store and kinda gave up on it after it wasn't immediately successful.

[@uhsaywhatnow]

There’s a Sizzler in north county San Diego. The other day there was a sign out front that said “Salad Bar is Back!” Seems like a dubious time to be bringing the salad bar back, but I can’t fault Sizzler for trying to stay in business.

[@gordontaylor2815]

Buffets were already facing an uphill battle to stay in business even BEFORE the pandemic. They must think it's a worthwhile risk to do this, at least in theory...

[@brandname6]

My sony dream machine from the 2000s takes a beating and keeps on ticking

[@ion5065]

the health bar on that couch must be the whole screen

[@danievelyn3352]

Awww the Shirley temple VHS tapes reminds me of my grandma

[@Elvirabg]

OMG I WANT that Batman Forever cup! Highly underrated movie imo

[@dudesk099]

I still use that same model of dream machine alarm clock daily. It just works

[@jtlovescodelyoko]

1:35 my grandpa had one similar to that one.

[@barryh1972]

One sing - "Youngblood" - was all over the airways in the late 80s from Bruce Willis' brief singing career. Btw I'm glad he stuck to acting.

[@Karmy.]

I'm about to turn 21 and I had a teacher still using one of those projectors in my senior year of HS!

[@valdezign808]

that sonic music took me back! love the goodwill hunting, as always. 👍👍

[@DavidBrown-fs7ml]

I got that Bruce Willis cassette as a gag gift...and I gagged.

[@MrDan708]

An overhead projector - this is why I keep watching Retail Archeology. You find the most amazing, memory-jogging stuff!

[@bravotronalpha3787]

When I graduated high school in the early 2000's, they were still heavily in use. Not sure about today. I'm assuming they've gone the way of the dinosaur if they're showing up in Goodwill stores.

[@gordontaylor2815]

@@bravotronalpha3787 They were pretty much obsoleted by overhead projectors once those were cheap enough to be a worthwhile purchase. Now there's no point in using that unless you have transparent slides...

[@cornjobb]

that was the coolest "organ" i've ever seen at a goodwill store. except for uncle jimmy's that one time.

[@ItsMeMattCarter]

I had that Batman mug as a kid and I loved it!!!! What a great find! Now I need to head to ebay and find one lol

[@panterid]

If you want to try out an answering machine, get a VOIP phone number and a VOIP-to-analog adapter like Cisco SPA112 (there are many cheaper ones too). Configure your VOIP number on the SPA112 and hook the answering machine into it.

[@anthonydee8427]

If I recall, that was a Motown album. No surprise it triggered a copyright lol. Great find.

[@AMX-014S]

I had a Cepsela set as a kid, it was really annoying seeing all the things you could make with it but then never being able to ever find the other packs or whatever to making a floating... thing.

[@Graytail]

I had some too, and I had the floats, but getting the weight rigth so it'd stay upright was a nightmare with only four floats and not enough pieces to make your construction symetrical

[@Falungongshow]

Oh, the Bruce Willis album is not good but it does remind me of when my friend found a cd of Robert Downey jr's one attempt at Christian contemporary. Surprisingly he has a pretty decent singing voice unlike Willis.

[@peanutismint]

Wait, Robert Downey Jr made a Christian album? Sure you don’t mean Harry Connick Jr?

[@Falungongshow]

@@peanutismint it was definitely RDJ way before he got picked up by marvel

[@centrevezgaming4862]

Yet another great thrifting video

[@tocotronicon]

christ, overhead projectors 🤣 my cheap-ass university still uses them. idk what i even pay hundreds of uni fees every semester when they never update their tech. 😣

[@ScottyPimpinATL]

Bruno "Under The Boardwalk ' is a phenomenal song. Who doesn't remember the smell of hot dogs and cheese fries under the board walk?

[@jakp8777]

They have Sizzler in California. The Sony alarm clock isn’t missing it’s battery cover, the clip is designed to keep the battery in.

[@gordontaylor2815]

Sizzler does seem to be based primarily in California these days, which I can't imagine is helping their future prospects much...

[@jakp8777]

@@gordontaylor2815 last time I’ve been to one is in 2017 in Utah. It’s okay food, but I’m not a meat snob. As long as there’s a A1 type sauce, I’m good. California is doing fine despite what the conservative media spins.

[@bhrfrd123]

Exactly right about the alarm clock. I still have one that I got brand new over 25 years ago. It never had a battery cover.

[@jakp8777]

@@bhrfrd123 I had the same alarm clock in black. Bought it new at target, never had a cover.

[@jeffrapier947]

I would want to go to that Horizon Thrift just to get a close look at those dragon lamps outside.

[@BGNOLA]

God that Return of Bruno album was totally hyped in '87.

[@ChrisWehadababyitsaboy]

That sizzlers used to be a Pancho's Mexican food buffet. I miss the sopapillas dearly

[@zerocool21]

Shout out to the toejam and Earl music when you're looking at the video games in the 2nd store!

[@ecidragon]

I have a pile of 3.5 floppy holders. If you are ever in Peoria you can come by Emerald Computers.

[@Melissa2087]

Not gonna lie... I still have an almost identical alarm clock to the one in the beginning from the 80s and I STILL use it. And that is way old technology is the best... it NEVER dies!

[@arcane438]

Omg the Toejam and Earl music 🥰

[@MicahChoquette]

Funny you found "The Return of Bruno," especially given that we don't talk about Bruno. LOL

[@ZombieRyushu]

The Analogue Phone Equipment needs VOIP Adapters.

[@WhittyPics]

I haven't seen an open Sizzler in decades. They used to be all over Louisville, KY

[@gordontaylor2815]

Like with other buffet chains, Sizzler seems to have been downsizing for many years now - they were one of the restaurant chains that COVID pushed into bankruptcy. The fact that they are based primarily in California now means the odds are stacked against them making a comeback at any point in the near future...

[@bravotronalpha3787]

Still got one in my town. IIRC there used to be 3 in my area, but they've indeed downsized.

[@acykat2069]

Oh GOD I remember Bruce Willis' music career. He had a video on MTV.

[@gordontaylor2815]

Yes, I know this was primarily a thrifting video, but I feel like you should've explained a little bit more about the Sizzler chain since most of the watchers in the eastern half of the U.S. (at least the 30-and-under demographic) haven't seen or heard about one before...

[@williamharris8367]

I first encountered one in Florida in 1984, and the chain made a brief foray into Canada later that same decade. I have fond, albeit fading, memories of the place.

[@ShannonBrownauthor]

I've heard they were similar to a chain called Bonanza. Basically affordable but not terrible steaks, and chicken with a giant salad bar in the middle.

[@TheQueenSpider]

Wow! I had that General Electric clock and my sister had the Sony Dream Machine

[@archiemisc]

Bruce Willis has two albums on Spotify if you're interested.

[@HagarLoves]

I get 600 film at Target, and it's new stuff. But it's like $20 for 8 photos!

[@rwdplz1]

18:10 SOME vintage Fiesta Ware is actually radioactive, DO NOT DROP.

[@Corbs_vinyl_and_cassettes]

Hearing music from ToeJam & Earl (1991) for the Sega Genesis in one of your thrift videos is amazing. I love this game so much. i have two physical copys for my model 1 sega genesis. one copy my friend got me in an ebay auction for $80 and one is my moms sister Lisas Copy from the early 90s

[@GeekFilter]

Yup - we had that alarm clock!

[@airratchetjockey7605]

Ahhh toe jam & earl one of my favorites

[@moonytheloony6516]

It was an ok album at the time. Willis didn’t embarrass himself but it’s not necessarily memorable either. The album came out in an era where various Hollywood actors took a stab at being recording artists. Patrick Swayze and Don Johnson are other examples of this. I’ll throw in some perspective as a person who lived during this era and was a big fan of watching “Moonlighting” on ABC at the time. I don’t recall Bruce Willis getting significant radio airplay. That may depend on what part of the country one lived in. The album was kinda/sorta popular for maybe 3 months.(he was also making wine cooler commercials for Seagrams) The album was forgotten rather quickly as an avalanche of more anticipated albums were coming out that year, which sold in much larger quantities while dominating the radio and MTV such as U2’s “The Joshua Tree” George Michael’s “Faith” , “Whitney” by Whitney Houston, Def Leppard’s “Hysteria” “Appetite For Destruction” by Guns ‘N Roses, “Sign of the Times” by Prince and “Bad” by Michael Jackson. By the summer of ‘87 Bruno got buried next to Jimmy Hoffa. There is an upside to this story. In 1988, few cared about the future of Bruce Willis’ musical career as we were much more intrigued with a brilliantly entertaining action film called “Die Hard”.

[@martinbaxter2616]

I... SURVIVED that Final Boss. And yes to the Media Manager video. Color me curious...

[@foxycritter]

The Batman Forever mug omg!!

[@tilleybs]

My parents still have that alarm clock.

[@Foxonian]

My local Goodwill recently closed with no reason given. Nearest one is now 15 miles away.

[@_PrimetimePranks]

That Bruce album still sounds better than anything by Maroon 5.

[@wendyokoopa7048]

I came to say something similar

[@tocotronicon]

tbf my cat yowling cause i accidentally stepped on his tail sounds better than maroon 5. that bar is on the floor

[@user-is7xs1mr9y]

I only used to like one of their songs... when I was 13.

[@bravotronalpha3787]

'Songs About Jane' is pretty much the only good Maroon 5 album.

[@automatticcomics]

Winning with the toejam n Earl musics

[@Solinaru]

Eyyyy! That's at country club!

[@GumCow]

My parents still have that clock sitting on their nightstand

[@MuvoTX]

Yep!!!... I had a GE clock radio just like that, and a GE tape recorder. I used to record songs off the radio, using the built in mic. Bruce willis used to sing. Segrams featured him singing on their wine cooler commercials. They were really cringe-ey.... imho. Im sure you can YT search his horrid songs...hahaha

[@theshadowman1398]

Bruce Willis album is so much fun. I have it on Laserdisc

[@lockedherselfout]

My grandmother had the *EXACT* same organ in her trailer and it was from the early 70's incase anyone wants to know lmao

[@JoeinSeattle.]

Love the channel but Man I really dig your thrifting videos. You got a really cool Eye 👍🏼👍🏼

[@RetailArchaeology]

Thank you 😁

[@laureljade3476]

2:40 that couch could attract bees.

[@ryeinc]

I recognize the intercom system at 6:50. We used that at my old job to communicate between offices. EDIT: We had the monitor at 15:00 too 😂

[@agenericaccount3935]

I had the twoface batman mcdonald's mug from new. The handle was too sharp to use lmao.

[@austinlawler3739]

I know exactly what you are talking about with the Lego case. I had the one you were talking about, and thought the same thing as you. It really was a good thing to have, as the bigger one held a lot of loose bricks. What a great find.