Wally's Castle - Vintage Antique Mall in Grand Rapids, MI — Local services in Wyoming

I would just like to preface by saying I wasn’t going to talk about my experience being a vendor here, but with the most recent scummy act of trying to confuse customers into thinking that my items are still there to sell and trying to disguise someone else’s items as mine I do have to say something.

Started out as being a vendor was pretty straight forward and nice, but a few months in the first red flags already went up.

The co-owner’s son at the time was in a “leader” position and had an incredibly awkward interaction with my wife which she thought was inappropriate. I brought this up with the owner, and a few weeks later at a vendor get together the person who had the interaction apologized to me, not my wife which was there as well, and left it at that. Nothing else happened, the person was able to go on purely for the reason of who he was associated with the owners of the business. Obviously after it all happened come to find out that this wasn’t an isolated incident and that multiple customers and vendors had these awkward interactions with him, but of course nothing came of it purely because of association. It wasn’t until an actual physical interaction happened to where the person was finally not able to be a working individual, but that didn’t stop him from being able to still come in and still have a space to sell. I would say pretty scummy behavior to let the person who has harassed multiple women to still be able to sell.

These are just some of the events I witnessed while being a vendor there:

Making fun of vendors disabilities.

A vendor drinking on the job while on shift.

Harassment of young women.

Sexist and racist comments about customers.

Allowing certain vendors to sell items especially recent political ones, even though it’s clearly stated you can’t.

Limiting products of certain types to sell, but not others.

No quality control of items. Where vendors sell terrible junky items of a certain type, and puts the customers off from another vendor’s items that are of quality.

Obvious favoritism. Where a certain group of vendors are protected regardless of behavior or what they say, or sell.

Those are just a few of the things I personally observed and witnessed. Not to mention if you are successful at all, then you will get some of the most snarkiest back handed compliments I have ever heard. Any sort of success is not celebrated what so ever, especially if you go far and beyond to try and be successful. The jealousy is incredibly rampant, people will start copying you, but have no idea on the subject or items they are selling, again giving customers a bad vibe or experiences when there is no quality control.

One last thing, if you do become a vendor, just please look at everyone that is involved and you will soon see what type of environment and atmosphere the owner is trying to have. There is no community input, no real way to bring up concerns, unless then you get ostracized and talked down to. The worst is when the owner throws personal matters at you, and acts like people don’t have a lot of things going on in their life also, and uses it as a means to act horrible. They will twist what you say, try and use data that doesn’t even apply to your situation, or do anything in his power to come out ahead, regardless of the amount of people and customers he loses.

Two stars purely because there are a handful of good people involved that are trying to push through the hate and hurdles that are...

This is truly a blast from the past with so much stuff, from my childhood and beyond. Although these are just some simple untouched up pictures from my cell phone. There is so much to take in. I felt like kid in candy store. All the staff was nice. each stood out for one reason or another. Mary was second to really stand out and be helpful. Informative about the business so much so, I mistaken her for being the owner. She is posted in pic with me. The place was crowded with inventory, but spaces out enough to take in everything. Must of spent almost 90 minutes, or more. Thinking as i was taking other pics, about who among my other friends would ve interested in things I was seeing. The prices all seemed fair, but one things stood out at me, and I seriously don't know how I left without buying it. I mean as a kid, I wanted this item like a kid wants every candy in a candy store. If it's there on my return trip, bet it's mine. So If your looking for that something to decorate, or maybe that something from your past. I'd come on in and check the place out. It's only open for a few hours a day, but worth my time. So hopefully it will...

We moved to Wyoming from downtown Grand Rapids last year and I’ve been really missing having interesting places within walking distance. This place might be too close! We have been 3-4 times since they opened and we find something new every time. I love that my 5 year old is able to find little gems that she treasures, getting her into what was always one of our favorite past times when it was just my husband and I. I think it must have been a doctors office or something in the 80’s and I love that they kept the ocean theme up. The staff is helpful, knowledgeable, and always great with my daughter. She is a very contentious kid but other stores like this we have been into always made us feel less than welcome with a kid in toe. So glad they opened a Wyoming location! My wallet maybe not so much but...