This Rhode Island Salvage Store Has Become A Weekly Stop For Bargain Hunters
A bronze horse frozen mid-gallop can turn a routine drive into a double take. In Rhode Island, a roadside lot full of statues and salvaged treasures hides just off a busy stretch of road.
What convinces someone to pull over for a giant gorilla statue and a row of old iron gates? Curiosity usually does the trick, and most visitors end up staying far longer than they planned.
Old mansions and churches have left pieces of their past scattered across this place, from stained glass to marble fountains. Some shoppers arrive with measuring tapes and a clear plan, while others just wander and wonder.
The stock keeps changing week to week, so no two visits feel quite the same. Rhode Island keeps this kind of treasure hunt going, one estate sale at a time.
A Roadside Zoo Of Statues
Drivers on the way into Newport often do a double take. A bronze stallion, stone lions, and even a huge gorilla stand right out front.
The whole lot looks like a zoo made of metal and stone.
Welcome to Aardvark Antiques, a Rhode Island favorite that has been around since 1969. The outdoor yard is the first thing visitors notice, and it sets the tone fast.
Everything here seems to be larger than life.
The famous gorilla statue is said to stand about seven feet tall. Nearby, you might spot dragons, Greco-Roman style figures, and playful bronze children.
Each piece seems to have its own personality, and many have become photo favorites.
Take a slow walk around the yard before heading inside. Look closely at the details, like the curls in a lion mane or the muscles on a horse.
Artists spent a lot of time on these works, and it shows.
Families love this part of the visit. Kids can point out animals and pick their favorite creature.
Grown-ups can imagine which statue would look amazing in a garden back home.
The outdoor stock changes as pieces sell and new ones arrive. That is one big reason people keep stopping by.
A statue you saw last month might be gone, and something new could be waiting in its spot.
Which bronze beast will you want to greet first?
Getting Happily Lost Inside
Step through the door and the building just keeps going. The space covers around 30,000 square feet.
Room leads to room, and each corner hides a fresh surprise.
Visitors often say the inside feels like a maze. That is part of the fun.
You turn left and find carved furniture, then turn right and spot a row of glowing lamps.
The layout gently guides you along a path through the building. Still, it is easy to lose track of time.
Many guests plan a quick peek and end up staying far longer.
Here is a handy tip from people who have explored it before. Look up!
Plenty of amazing items hang from the ceilings, and it is easy to miss them if your eyes stay on the floor.
Wear comfy shoes for this adventure. Floors can stretch on, and you will want to see every room.
A phone camera helps too, so you can remember pieces you liked.
Keep in mind that the store does not offer public restrooms. Plan a quick stop before you arrive so you can browse without rushing.
Going with a friend makes it even better. One person spots a treasure, the other finds something wilder around the corner.
It turns into a friendly contest before long.
How long do you think you could wander before finding the exit?
Mansion Pieces With Big Stories
Newport is famous for its grand mansions. When old homes and fancy properties change or come down, their best parts do not always disappear.
Many of them find their way here.
Architectural salvage is the heart of this shop. That means rescued building pieces, like iron gates, big windows, mirrors, mantels, and garden fountains.
Each one once had a job in a real home or estate.
Think about that for a moment. A gate you touch might have welcomed guests to a seaside estate long ago.
A mirror might have reflected fancy parties in a grand hall.
Home makers and designers love these pieces. An old window can become wall art.
A weathered gate can turn a plain garden into something special. The possibilities feel endless once you start dreaming.
Bring measurements if you have a project in mind. Many items are large, and it helps to know your space before falling in love.
Snap photos of spots at home so you can compare.
Even if you are not buying, these pieces are fun to study. Look at the hand-forged curls, the hinges, and the old paint layers.
They quietly tell the story of how people built things years ago.
Which piece of old Rhode Island history could fit into your own home?
Colors That Glow Through Glass
Sunlight hits a panel of old stained glass, and suddenly the whole room glows. Reds, blues, and golds spill across the floor.
Moments like this make visitors stop in their tracks.
Stained glass is one of the most talked-about finds at this Rhode Island shop. Some pieces were rescued from churches that closed.
Others came from grand homes, where they once brightened stairways and halls.
Guests have praised the lead glass windows in particular. The patterns can be simple or wildly detailed.
Some show flowers or shapes, while others tell stories in tiny pieces of colored glass.
Here is a fun fact. In many old windows, each piece of glass is held in place by thin strips of lead.
Skilled workers cut and fit every piece by hand, which took great patience.
Tall windows can make a big statement in a modern room. Smaller panels can hang in a sunny kitchen window.
Either way, they bring warmth and a touch of history.
Take your time when you find the glass section. Step back, then step close.
The look changes depending on light and angle, almost like the glass has moods.
Handle with care, of course, and ask staff for help with big panels. They know how to move these beauties safely.
What color would you want glowing in your window?
Movie Props And Quirky Surprises
Hollywood has come knocking at this shop more than once. Items from the store have been used on movie sets, including The Great Gatsby, Stuart Little, and Moonrise Kingdom.
Not bad for a salvage yard!
The shop loves the odd and unusual. Over the years, the collection has included wild items like a bumper boat ride from an old amusement park.
Some shoppers have even spotted pieces of American history mixed with vintage store props.
One visitor pointed out an old Little Dutch Boy figure, the classic paint store mascot. Others found pieces tied to famous places.
This mix makes browsing feel like opening a surprise box.
Kids especially enjoy this side of the store. Strange signs, fun figures, and funky shapes spark lots of questions.
Every aisle becomes a game of what is that?
The store also offers prop rentals. Event planners and film crews use them to add real old-time style to a setting.
That is a smart option if you want the look without buying.
Keep your eyes open for the unexpected. It might be tucked behind a big statue or hanging near a window.
The weird stuff is often the most memorable.
Could you spot a piece that might star in the next big movie?
Where Old Things Get Fixed
Rust, cracks, and missing pieces do not scare this crew. Beyond selling antiques, the store offers welding, restoration, and fabrication services.
Worn-out treasures can get a second chance.
A bent iron gate can be repaired and made strong again. A tired fountain can be brought back to working shape.
Some items even get reworked to fit modern homes.
Visitors have also mentioned custom castings. That means you might be able to get a special statue or piece made just for you.
It is worth asking staff what is possible.
The team is known for real know-how. A historic mansion in Illinois once reached out for advice on handling donated garden urns.
The staff helped through photos, videos, and messages from far away.
Shipping is another perk for out-of-state shoppers. One buyer had a heavy fountain shipped all the way to Illinois.
It arrived safely in a sturdy crate built by the shop.
So do not worry if your dream piece is huge. Ask about crating and shipping before you leave.
It can turn a vacation find into a lasting part of your home.
This care for old things feels special. Instead of tossing history away, the shop helps it keep going for another hundred years.
What old piece would you love to bring back to life?
Smart Tips For Savvy Hunters
Bargain hunting here is a sport, and the regulars know the rules. Stock changes often, so frequent visits bring the best chances.
That is why so many people make it a regular stop.
Prices cover a wide range. Some pieces are rare and pricey, while others feel fair for their age and quality.
Smaller items also pop up, like framed art and decor.
Visitors have shared a helpful tip. Do not be shy about asking about price.
Friendly talk with staff can sometimes lead to a deal that works for everyone.
Know what you want before you go, but stay open. Many people come looking for one thing and leave loving something else.
Surprise finds are half the fun.
The back statue room gets special praise. One visitor said it felt like being carried away to Europe.
Marble figures and bronze art fill the space with old-world beauty.
Bring a tape measure, photos of your space, and a plan for getting items home. Big pieces need big solutions.
Staff can help you think through the details.
The team is happy to help serious buyers, but they also welcome browsers. Wandering and wondering is totally fine here.
Nobody rushes you.
Are you a careful planner or a go-with-your-gut treasure hunter?
Plan Your Treasure Hunting Trip
Ready to hunt? A little planning makes the day much smoother.
Hours can change with seasons, so check the store website before heading out.
Give yourself plenty of time. The building is large, and the yard is packed.
Rushing means missing hidden details, like a chandelier above your head or a small carving in a corner.
Visitors mention parking inside the gate, which makes loading easy. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a bag for small finds.
Remember there are no public restrooms, so plan ahead.
Newport makes a great base for the rest of your day. After shopping, you can explore the town, stroll the harbor, or tour the famous mansions.
Seeing those grand homes adds new meaning to the salvage you just found.
Rhode Island is small, so the shop is easy to reach from many parts of the state. Plenty of guests from nearby towns turn it into a regular outing.
Travelers from far away often say the trip was worth every mile.
Bring curious kids, design-loving friends, or anyone who enjoys a good story. Everyone finds something to talk about on the ride home.
You will find this wonderland at 9 JT Connell Hwy, Newport, RI 02840, waiting with new surprises.
What treasure will you carry home from Rhode Island?