B4 It Was Cool / SoHo

After my trip to the Antiques Garage in Chelsea, I took the subway down to SoHo to check out the small antiques store B4 It Was Cool (www.b4itwascool.com). It took me a minute to figure out the name of the store, but eventually found a business card taped to the middle of the graffiti-covered door. Lack of signage aside, you can't miss this place when you're walking down Houston Street. The door is usually always open, and your eye will go right to the dense sea of lighting fixtures packed into the tiny space. I've walked past the storefront many times over the years, and today was the first day I actually went in to see what kind of goodies they had for sale.

Known mostly for their collection of early to mid-20th century lighting, the store is packed not only with amazing floor and ceiling lights, but also other unique industrial objects – drafting stools, chairs, various appliances, and scientific models and tools.

B4 It Was Cool is located at 89 E. Houston St, just east of Broadway on the south side of the street.