A neon sign in the back of this shop glows with two words: DEAD SOULS. That alone tells you this is no ordinary antique store.
The shelves hold glass eyes, a human skeleton, and old bloodletting tools called fleams. There are post-mortem photos from the Victorian era, too. Somebody once sold a Feejee Mermaid here, plus a real monkey’s paw.
I like how the owners lean into the mood instead of hiding it. They built the whole space around the darker side of Victorian style. The result feels like a curiosity cabinet from the late 1800s, right in the middle of a busy Pennsylvania city.
I can’t imagine browsing here without glancing over my shoulder at least once. The best part? Nothing is sold online, so you have to show up in person. Some curiosities are just too strange to appreciate through a screen.
1. A Haunted Mood Built On Purpose, Not By Accident
Two art students met at the Philadelphia College of Art and bonded over a shared love of spooky Victorian style.
That pairing became Anastacia’s Antiques, run by Anastacia Fahnestock and Scott Evans.
The couple calls their interest the darker side of Victorian era aesthetics.
You can feel that idea in every corner of the 2,400-square-foot showroom.
Nothing here looks tossed onto a shelf and forgotten.
Antique fixtures and old showcases set a quiet, thoughtful mood for studying each piece.
The shop often gets described as having the aura of a late 19th century curiosity cabinet.
One writer even called it a haunted-house version of Ikea, which is honestly hard to beat.
Here’s a helpful tip for your visit.
Slow down and treat the space like a small museum where you’re allowed to touch the wallet.
The owners designed the store to be more than a quick shopping trip.
They want the trip itself to feel like an adventure through a strange world.
So give yourself extra time before you go.
Rushing through a place this detailed would be like skimming a ghost story for the plot.
2. Follow The Neon Glow If You Dare
DEAD SOULS.
Those words shine in bright neon toward the back of the shop, and they’re impossible to miss.
The sign sits near a ramp that connects two sides of the store.
It works like a spooky arrow telling you the strangest part of the trip lies ahead.
Picking a single favorite feature at Anastacia’s Antiques is tough.
Still, this glowing sign might be the most photographed spot in the building.
It also fits the theme perfectly.
The Victorians were famous for treating loss and memory in very dramatic ways, and this display nods to that history.
Fans of old horror movies will feel right at home here.
The red glow against antique wood and glass creates a scene straight from a creepy film set.
Want a practical tip?
Ask before snapping photos, since this is a working shop with real owners and valuable items.
Most shops hang an open sign out front and call it a day.
This one hangs a sign about souls inside, and somehow that makes it feel more welcoming to curious visitors.
3. Old Medical Tools That Will Make You Wince
Thank goodness for modern doctors.
One look at the medical antiques here will make you grateful for every clean, bright clinic you’ve ever visited.
The shop carries a wide range of old surgical tools that look downright unsettling.
You’ll also spot fleams, which were small blades once used for bloodletting.
Artificial limbs and child’s leg braces sit among the collection too.
These pieces show how hard everyday life could be more than a century ago.
Books about diseases add another layer to the history lesson.
Flip through one, and you’ll quickly see how much medicine has changed since then.
Vintage glass pharmaceutical bottles and old medicine tins round out this section nicely.
Some antique bottles even hold mysterious contents, which only adds to the eerie feeling.
Here’s my advice for this part of the store.
Bring a friend who loves history, because these items spark great conversations about how people once lived.
Science fans and nursing students may find this area especially fascinating.
Just maybe skip it right before a dentist appointment.
4. Glass Eyes Are Watching You Shop
Feeling watched while you browse?
Blame the glass eyes, which are just one of many odd treasures packed into this Pennsylvania shop.
Anastacia’s Antiques specializes in Victorian oddities and macabre, eccentric items.
The list of strange finds feels almost endless.
Look for post-mortem daguerreotypes, which are old silver-printed photos of family members who had passed.
Victorians made these to remember loved ones, and they are a real piece of history.
Phrenology booklets show up here too.
Phrenology was an old idea that bumps on your skull revealed your personality, which sounds silly today.
Stereoview cards let people see 3D pictures long before movies existed.
There are even haunted decks of cards, which seems like a risky way to play a game.
A human skeleton and taxidermied animals complete the creepy cast.
Circus memorabilia and sideshow banners add a touch of old carnival fun.
My tip?
Read labels and ask questions whenever you can.
Many of these objects tell stories that a quick glance simply can’t capture.
5. Not Every Treasure Here Is Spooky
Good news for anyone who scares easily.
Plenty of normal, lovely things fill the shelves alongside the creepy stuff.
The owners describe their stock as a constantly changing mix of odd and mundane things.
That means you’ll find practical pieces too, not just skulls and strange jars.
Unique furniture is a big part of the collection.
Vintage clothing, political pins, and old lamps also show up in the showroom.
Fans of old technology can hunt for vintage typewriters and antique clocks.
These pieces look amazing on a desk or bookshelf at home.
Victorian jewelry is another strong draw.
Rings, brooches, and lockets make sweet gifts that carry a little history with them.
Here’s a smart shopping idea.
Bring measurements if you’re eyeing furniture, so you know a piece will fit through your front door.
Since the stock changes often, every visit can feel brand new.
A cabinet you passed last month might hold something totally different today, so keep checking back.
6. Legends Of The Alien Baby And The Monkey’s Paw
Some past sales sound like something out of a campfire story.
One was a tiny dried fetus in a jar that earned the nickname alien baby.
Another sale featured a Feejee Mermaid.
These odd creations were famous sideshow attractions, usually made to look like a half-fish, half-monkey creature.
A monkey’s paw also passed through the shop.
Anyone who knows the classic scary story will understand why that one gets people talking.
Customers sometimes try to sell the owners haunted heirlooms too.
Still, the shop does not officially have a haunted objects department, so relax a little.
Some visitors say the place feels like the door to Narnia or the rabbit hole to Wonderland.
The owners don’t rush to break that spell for people hunting ancient manuscripts.
That playful attitude makes the trip extra fun.
You get the thrill of a haunted house without anyone jumping out at you.
Keep in mind that these specific items already sold.
The fun part is wondering what strange surprise might turn up next on the shelves.
7. A Shopping Habit That Started With A Toothache
Back in 1985, a wisdom tooth removal sparked a whole business.
The couple sold trash-picked items at sidewalk sales to pay for the procedure.
That scrappy start grew into something much bigger.
They renovated the former home and studio of opera impresario Rudolfo Pili in South Philadelphia, and it slowly became an antique shop.
Next came about ten years at the South Street Antiques Market.
Then they bought their current Bainbridge Street building in the early 1990s.
I love this origin story because it feels so human.
Few businesses can say they began because somebody needed a dentist.
The owners call it a true mom and pop operation.
That personal touch shows in how carefully the items get arranged and displayed.
Their art school roots matter here too.
Both owners studied art, which explains why the store looks so carefully styled.
Next time you face a tough bill, maybe check your curb for treasures.
It worked out pretty well for these two Pennsylvania collectors.
8. Plan Your Visit Around These Short Hours
Timing really matters with this shop.
Anastacia’s Antiques opens only four days a week, from Thursday through Sunday.
The store opens at noon Thursday through Saturday and closes at 6:30 p.m.; on Sunday, it closes at 5 p.m.
Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays are closed.
The owners use that time to restock the store, which keeps the shelves fresh.
Driving in from far away?
Call ahead first, since the shop may close unexpectedly once in a while.
Another key detail sets this place apart.
The owners don’t sell online at all.
They believe you should experience the space and feel a connection with an object before buying it.
In a world of one-click shopping, that idea feels refreshing.
So if something catches your eye, grab it during your visit.
Waiting until later could mean someone else takes home your new favorite oddity.
My advice is to arrive early in the afternoon.
That gives you plenty of time to explore every shadowy corner without rushing out the door.
9. Make A Whole Spooky Day Of It In Bella Vista
Finding this curious shop is easy.
Head to 617 Bainbridge Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, in the Bella Vista neighborhood of South Philadelphia.
The location sits just one block south of South Street.
That famous strip is packed with shops and entertainment, so you can turn your trip into a full day out.
Here’s a fun plan to try.
Explore South Street first, then wander one block over for something much stranger.
Philadelphia is a great city for history lovers.
A visit to this shop fits right in with the old buildings and stories found all over town.
Wear comfy shoes since city exploring means lots of walking.
You’ll also want energy left for studying every case and cabinet inside.
Bring a tote bag for small finds like jewelry or old postcards.
Bigger furniture pieces may need extra planning to get home.
Few Pennsylvania road trips end with a glass eye or a Victorian brooch in your bag.
This one easily could, and that’s exactly why it deserves a spot on your list.
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