Replacements reminds me of my house?it?s a place made for collectors My most recent trip to Replacements, Ltd. was last December 31. I didn?t intend to go on New Year?s Eve, but I don?t like New Year?s Eve?the mandated reflection on your life, the unreasonable expectations for fun?so it?s possible that on this most unpleasant of days, I instinctually made my way to a place I love. I called beforehand, just to make sure they were open, and then I set off for Exit 132 on I-40 East.
Replacements sells china, crystal, silver, and dishes, though ?sells? hardly encompasses the scope of this fortress of dishes 40 minutes from my home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The store?s total inventory is 11 million pieces.
I have been collecting dishes for many years. The pantry off my kitchen is filled with dishes. The cupboards in the kitchen are filled with dishes. The sideboard and china cabinet in the dining room are filled with dishes. My own inventory consists of probably about 60 dinner plates, 80 side plates, and maybe 40 bowls (not counting larger serving bowls). Then there are the very little plates?maybe 25 of those. And another 20 or so very little bowls. And vases. I would say 35 of those. Plus about 45 mugs and 25 teacups, some with saucers. I won?t go into candlesticks. Or platters. I live in a 1920s red-shingled house on a quiet street. I bought the house five years ago, not because I wanted to buy a house (I didn?t), but because I happened to see it one day. It w...