Wharf Hill — Local services in Smithfield

Being a very close and personal friend of Bertie Wooster, I can say with certitude that neither of us have been back to Wharf Hill in the last six years. Poor Bertram hasn’t the heart to respond to some of the criticism. Not really the proper thing to do. “Let the Lord settle it all out at the end of the age” is his general outlook on such matters. However, I am not of the same stock as Mr. Wooster.

Since the picture-taking seems to be more of a hot topic than the overpriced objects, let us stay on that. Taking pictures when signage clearly states not to take pictures is one thing. Even tacky, perhaps; however some of his fellow reviewers appear to have a tenuous clutch on the English language. The perspicacious reader may note that Bertie was taking pictures of the architecture. The crown molding around the doorways is rather lovely. What Bertram was not snapping pictures of is a piece of metal dug from the soil of Bolivia and mass-produced as a tin dog in China. Nor was Bertie attempting to surreptitiously take a photograph of a burlap pillowcase on which some nascent artist has painted a stencil outline of an elephant. While it could be tempting to take pictures of these sorts of things and rapidly become a billionaire on Etsy, avarice has been recognized as one of the deadly sins since the desert fathers, and must be avoided at all costs.

Being well-bred and civil does go a long way. I am of course, referring to the corpulent bandaged fellow who works at the establishment. Being in the heart of where our great nation was founded, I assume even he can appreciate our embrace of the spirit of revolution. I’m sure Wharf Hill does not miss Bertram’s money, as they seem to be doing just fine without it.

Regardless, it’s not decent to treat customers with such...

Not a pleasant experience. While advertizing itself as an antique store, it is a strange amalgamation of new and old effects of peculiar and dubious origins. Someone less au fait in antiques might find themselves on the losing end of the deal of an overpriced tin toy from the early 21st century under the supposition that they are procuring an actual antique.

In addition to the rather ambiguous quality of merchandise, there is apparently a no picture-taking rule that is not posted anywhere on the premises. I was merely snapping a few shots of the architecture (despite the poor quality commodities housed within, the building is quite beautiful), and out of the woodwork came a large, bandaged elderly man who rather brashly intimated that I was not allowed to take pictures because the "artists" don't want anyone to, as if this little multivocal store houses Botticelli's The Birth of Venus. Unwelcoming, to say the least. Wharf Hill has certainly not earned...

I LOVE this shop. This is an antique and home goods store with a mix of old and new classic decor elements inside.

I've found a few special antique goodies over the years but last year I stumbled across some glass icicle ornaments that are gorgeous - I bought only 10 or so thinking it would be enough and over the next two weeks ordered about 20 more over the phone and had them shipped to me.

Shipping was cheap, packaging was perfect, and the service was the best. They called me, texted me with images (when we discovered there were two sizes) and put handwritten notes inside thanking me for my continued business.

I was very impressed with the personalized and friendly service they provided. The items inside are beautiful and change often and in accordance with the season, but the service will keep...