There aren't any dusty, faded collectibles here. It's all about not-so-quiet nostalgia at What the Rock?!, where every item packed between the four red, black, white and blue walls screams with cheeky irreverence and '70s memories.
Ramones T-shirts, tattoo-inspired bedsheets and everything vinyl vie for your eye in the 300-square-foot space. Taking in each corner of the store is bound to bring some chuckles.
Screen-printed T-shirts, pint glasses and shot glasses featuring bands like The Pretenders and The Beatles are staples at the Short North shop. Matching, miniaturized versions in the form of onesies, bibs and tiny tees are just as popular, said married owners Mike Renner and Heather Ziegler, who have staffed the store every hour since it opened in October 2006.
WILL SHILLING PHOTO
"We figured that the market in Columbus didn't really exist for the fun baby clothes, rock 'n' roll baby clothes," Ziegler said.
"So we found our niche in that, and from that we grew," Renner added. "I mean, the gift kind of stuff, we've grown that in our last year."
The baby department rounds out with a CD of rock songs recorded as lullabies and books like Baby, Mix Me a Drink. (Sample line: "Nanny wants a champagne cocktail.")
The couple keeps the offerings fresh and often takes cues from customers. A display case by the register has shelves loaded with shiny flasks that were added recently thanks to shoppers' requests, alongside metal belt buckles shaped like skulls or guns and hundreds of buttons Renner and Ziegler make by hand.
There's also an impressive assortment of Columbus-made merchandise, like AmyD's coffee cup sleeves, and guitar pick necklaces and earrings Ziegler makes herself.
Of course, there's the just plain silly — like the zombie brain mold, catapults that shoot miniature nun figurines and a Gangsta Rap coloring book that takes the kids' line to another level.
WILL SHILLING PHOTO
It's kitschy, off-the-wall stuff you can't find anywhere else in Columbus, Ziegler said.
One of the store's much-loved quirks, a chalkboard that sits outside every day, tempting passersby to answer a pop-culture trivia question, fell victim to last week's storm. Renner is working on getting it back out as soon as possible.
Those who stop in and answer the question correctly can have their pick from a jumble of freebie bouncy balls, stickers and buttons in a shoebox behind the counter.
We have many new items this week. Here's a list of some of the great goodies:
*Tattoo inspired shower curtains.
*PinUp Girl Lamps- Choose from Rockabilly, Western, or Fetish (We received only one of each style and they will only be available in-store. So hurry down and get one today!)
*Lots of new guys and gals t-shirts-- Kiss, The Beatles, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, Motley Crue, John Lennon, Woodstock, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, Bob Marley and more.
*Many new and restocked baby onesies and toddler tees-- The Beatles, Bob Marley, Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra, ZZ Top, Black Sabbath, Woodstock, Kiss, Pantera, Def Leppard, Poison, Motley Crue, Wu-Tang Clan, Alice Cooper, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Run DMC!
*New and restocked ice cube trays-- Frozen Smiles (looks like teeth floating in your drink! Gross, huh?) and Bone Chillers (skull and bones ice cubes).
Most of these items have not yet been added to our website.
Get 'em now, before we sell out at Comfest!!!!
NEW ITEMS FOR JUNE
*Cute, comfy, and funny stripper shorts---4 available styles.
*Small pirate flags--great for the back of your bike or for your car.
*Collectible guitar picks--Suicide Girls, Skulls, Nightmare Before Christmas, Monsters, and Gothic Alchemy. Collect them all!!
*Protect your ears with these handy Hearos foam earplugs.
*Blockhaeds buliding blocks--fun for kids and adults!!
*"Create a Commie" magnetic drawing board/game. Hours of fun!
*Hanging door signs with hilarious sayings on them-- 5 different styles.
*Sing in the shower with this microphone shaped sponge.
*Pirate toast stamper...arrrgh..hands off me toast!!
*Liven up a dull party with a Voodoo Doll toothpick holder.
*Cool Jewels ice cube trays--bling out your beverages!
*Shiny, chrome belt buckles by Rock Rebel.
*Women's tank tops with clever/offensive sayings on them.
*The ever popular classic Ramones black logo tee.
*"A Field Guide to the North American Bird"--learn how to flip off people 50 different ways with this informative little book.
Thank you for voting us Best Gift Shop in Columbus 2008!!!! You Rock!!!! Please enjoy the slideshow of What the Rock?!'s "Greatest Hits" 2007!!
What The Rock?! has rock and roll t-shirts, belt buckles, cool baby clothes, rock music books, tattoo inspired linens, rock n roll home decor, patches, stickers, buttons, and everything else you need to live your rock and roll lifestyle. What The Rock?! is dedicated to bringing you the best quality rock and roll related merchandise we can find. What The Rock?! strives to have unique, hand crafted things that are made in the USA at the best possible price.
