Inside Obscura’s New Location: More Macabre Than the Funeral Home Before It?


Warning: If you didn’t enjoy the “Bodies” exhibit and get queasy at Freemans, you probably won’t dig this slideshow either. Photos: Vivienne Gucwa.

It’s been a real challenge finding shrunken heads, human skulls and mounted piranhas in the neighborhood since Obscura Antiques and Oddities closed in January. But search no more: the store selling all things weird opened in its new location at 207 Avenue A, near East 13th Street, on Saturday.

The new digs are nearly double the size of the previous store, meaning that owners Mike Zohn and Evan Michelson have more room to show off their wacky nicknacks, and fans of their reality show “Oddities” have more room to walk around.

Obscura Antiques and Oddities - 3Vivienne Gucwa Mike Zohn and friend.

“The other store was like a bowling alley, people would get stuck in there,” said Mr. Zohn. “With this one the traffic flow through the store is great.”

Soon, Mr. Zohn added, an old-timey tin ceiling will be installed, lending the space — which used to be a funeral home — more ambiance.

Since opening, the new location has been as busy as ever, with fans packing the 450-square-foot space. Fortunately the new store, unlike the old one, offers some respite from the crowds. “The office in the back is wonderful,” Mr. Zohn said. “Yesterday I ordered lunch — being able to go in the back and hide and eat was great.”

Obscura is open from 11 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays.