While Kill Devil Hill evokes the feel of an old-timey general store, it couldn't be more of modern day specialty shop. With the bulk of the stocklist shipped from a connection in Montana—an aging mountain man with a penchant for animal bones, 19th-century trading beads, and handmade Native American crafts, owners "Cowboy Mark" Straiton and Mary Brockman have filled in the rest with their own expertise—Industrial American-era home, gift, and clothing collectibles circa 1870-1962.
The name itself harkens back to such a time: Kill Devil Hill is North Carolina town where the pre-airplane inventing Wright brothers first opened a bicycle shop. But the Greenpoint store isn't exclusively vintage, as an array of local artisans are also contributing fitting works—think WWII uniform-inspired spats and narwhal tooth jewelry (note: The owners go to major measures to make sure any of the animal items animals are vintage or from naturally deceased circumstances). And if the penny candy, coyote skulls, and bolo ties still don't do it for you, Mark will take personal orders—in classic general store style. With his collecting expertise, he'll actually find whatever it is you wish; recent requests have included Depression-era glass and taxidermy peacocks.
Kill Devil Hill, 170 Franklin Street (between Kent and Java streets), Greenpoint, Brooklyn. For more information, visit Myspace.