Date Of Visit: December, 28, 2016
Location: 1003 Newfield St, Middletown, CT
Cost: Free
Hours:Open everyday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Parking: There are about a dozen or so parking spots right in front of the store, and, in a pinch, parking is available on the front left hand side of the store as well as on the grounds.
Handicapped Friendly: The outside area is. The aisles in the store are a bit too narrow for wheelchairs unfortunately.
Dog Friendly: The outside area probably is
Highlights: Memorabilia, outdoor attractions, clothing, toys, games and other items from the past available for purchase
Web Site: Wild Bill’s Nostalgia
While the flag signifying the entrance to Wild Bill’s Nostalgia may seem plain, the store and grounds is anything but.
“Relive memories and take lots of photographs”, “Wild” Bill Zeigler told us as we entered his unique shop. So, I did.
Even as you walk in the front door, you are bombarded with unusual items and nostalgia.
The shop is so unique and , at times bizarre, that I stopped at the register expecting to have to pay an entrance fee. But, despite it’s museum like feel, there is no fee to enter Wild Bill’s. You’ll still end up leaving with your pockets a little lighter, though, after you browse the items inside.
One of the first things that caught my eye and sent me walking down memory lane immediately were the trading cards (love love love the trading cards for the old t.v. shows) and “cigarette candies” in the glass case by the register. And who could forget the pins we all used to wear our denim jackets? C’mon I wasn’t the only one. Of course, what is a grown man doing buying trading cards and candy cigarettes, or the real ones for that matter? But, that is the theme of this store; relive your youth and be a kid again for a little while.
“Wild” Bill Zeigler has run his business for 34 years. Over the years, the shop has changed somewhat but he has always specialized in the unusual.
Speaking of the unusual and hard to find, items from the dust bin of yesterday overflow the shelves and aisles at Wild Bill’s. Whether it is a Terminator statue, vintage shirts and posters, G.I. Joe and Barbie figures or a weird horseshoe tree, you’re sure to find something you will like. I still am kicking myself for not buying that Luke Skywalker poster.
Wild Bill’s even has items hanging from, and on the ceiling. Not sure if some of those posters on the ceiling are for sale.
Another favorite part of the store for me was the selection of media, including old school video games. And, there is a voliumnous collection of vinyl.
There is even an “adult section.” Yes, I did check it out. Strictly for research purposes. Old beer cans, a few Playboys and other jokey gifts line the shelves. I did spot these really cool old cameras and police detectors there.
While shopping there, I couldn’t resist buying this cool KISS lunchbox and a Grease poster.
If you think that is all there is to Wild Bill’s, then you’re sadly mistaken. Even before you enter the store, attractions are visible. So, the shopping experience is only the beginning of your Wild Bill experience.
A variety of exhibits, artistic displays and even a few abandoned haunted houses, which made them seem even creepier, occupy the grounds of Wild Bill’s. Who knew Michael Jordan was a zombie basketball player! Rumor has it the amusemtnpark rea may be open during the warmer seasons at some point.
This orange and yellow “Rube Goldberg” looking contraption is actually a mailbox.
These cars are, keeping with the nostalgia theme, are Yugos.
Those aren’t the only cars on the grounds of Wild Bill’s. Love the hippie mobile.
Cars aren’t the only vehicles on display at Wild Bill’s. These boats are also on display. If you do try to get close to these boats, as I did, be warned, it is very muddy in this section. At least I hope it was mud. I think they use a special chemical or add something to the soil to make sure the boats stand up and so I sort of sunk into the soil a bit and tracked muddy soil around the grounds.
There is also an assortment of artistic renderings and statues.
There are also some sheds or other enclosed huts on the grounds. The first one looks kind of cozy.
It’s hard to say which is more fun; the inside or outside of Wild Bill’s. But, whichever your preference, Wild Bill’s is sure to grab your attention and take you down memory lane!
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January 8th, 2017 at 4:57 am
This place looks huge in size Wayne and really like a walk down memory lane. I suppose, it takes hours to get through all, so a kind of day project to visit. Great photos as usual 🙂
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January 8th, 2017 at 5:07 am
The shop itself looks big but it really isn’t that big, Irene. The store is sort of long but everything is crammed into it. The grounds outside, however, is a pretty big area. Thank you!
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January 8th, 2017 at 8:59 am
Wonderful. Years ago somebody told me that we should cherish eccentricity and they were absolutely right. Down with the boring!!
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January 9th, 2017 at 12:25 am
He or she is a wise person! I love the unusual as well! Thank you!
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January 8th, 2017 at 6:40 pm
What an interesting store! I’d love to visit that someday, even if the clowns were a little creepy. And I think I’d give the zombie exhibit a miss!
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January 9th, 2017 at 12:28 am
ha ha I don’t think the zombie or Halloween exhibits are in operation, even during the Halloween season. But, I am not sure. I did see a place on their web site to donate for renovations to those exhibits. It is a great store, though! I highly recommend it if you’re in the area!
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January 8th, 2017 at 7:58 pm
Wow. I used to live so close to Middletown and I never saw this place. Amazing. Great photos.
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January 9th, 2017 at 12:29 am
I couldn’t believe it has been there for so long and I had never heard of it either. It is very close to Hartford and just past the border to MA so it is not far from me. It’s a hidden gem for sure!
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January 8th, 2017 at 10:23 pm
This looks like a real treasure trove of a place!
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January 9th, 2017 at 12:31 am
It has so much to see! I could have spent all day rummaging through all of the goodies there. And, Bill wouldn’t mind at all!
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January 8th, 2017 at 11:51 pm
This place looks amazing! I wish I had known about it last time I was out that way. I would have dropped by for sure!
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January 9th, 2017 at 12:33 am
Oh, such a shame that you missed it! The entrance to the store is set back from the main entrance a little bit. So, it is understandable if you miss it driving by. I only knew about it because I found it through a Google search. That Google sure comes in handy ( :
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January 9th, 2017 at 4:58 pm
I don’t know how I found my way anywhere before it!
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January 9th, 2017 at 10:03 pm
Me either!
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January 9th, 2017 at 12:42 am
Very cool! I’d love to go there. It’s a possibility!
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January 9th, 2017 at 12:58 am
I am sure you would love it!
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January 9th, 2017 at 4:27 pm
Seems like you had a great time there! So much to see, the pictures are awesome.
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January 9th, 2017 at 10:11 pm
I did! It’s a huge place for sure! Thank you!
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January 11th, 2017 at 1:51 pm
These are great. The balancing cars, hilarious!!
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January 11th, 2017 at 10:15 pm
Thank you! It’s amazing how they got all those cars to balance like that!
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January 12th, 2017 at 1:40 am
You’re welcome:)
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January 11th, 2017 at 8:57 pm
Bravo! Loved the photos. Thank you for sharing.
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January 11th, 2017 at 9:45 pm
Thank you!
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January 14th, 2017 at 1:57 pm
What a fascinating place! Thanks for sharing 🙂
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January 14th, 2017 at 4:25 pm
Thank you for reading! It is a very fascinating place for sure!
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March 27th, 2017 at 12:20 am
nice to see and share love WILD BILL
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March 27th, 2017 at 12:32 am
I love his place and he’s a very nice man. Thank you, Ginny.
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