Everyone knows that Las Vegas is fast becoming the luxury boutique capital of the world. But who needs another pair of genuine Gucci sunglasses from Caesar's Forum Shops when you can get the back-alley, bogus-brand version Friday through Sunday to the left of Sunshine Product's free ring-cleaning booth at the Fantastic Indoor Swap Meet? I'm kidding. They don't have the sophisticated knock offs you see curbside in NYC, only the really bad ones that couldn't pass even if they were trying to.
Trust me, the Fantastic Indoor Swap Meet isn't the place to go for good deals on designer duds; you'll have to settle for the off-season selection at the Las Vegas Fashion Outlet. It isn't the place for fine art, either, though Wallscapes has an impressive selection of remakes ranging from famous Van Goghs to Duran Duran's Rio cover and the full spectrum of southwestern coyote studies. But if you're up for some cheap thrills and cinnamon-roasted nuts, take an afternoon and stroll the Swapmeet; you might actually score something truly awesome.
Under the soft glow of multicolored globes, the carnival of commerce is always in full swing. Krista's offers a cornucopia of blankets with every imaginable copyright infringement woven in plush velour. Vegas Girls Wigs has a synthetic ponytail sale, two for $30, in your choice of styles, all conveniently clustered to cover the booth's wire walls.
See "The World's Greatest Shower Head" in action. Silk (or silk-like poly-satin) pajamas abound and are even available for your newborn ninja, complete with Buddhist braid, until the real one grows in. The Robert Knight Co. has the razor-sharp throwing stars to match, or, better yet, Lucite-handled knunchucks, or brass knuckles as a last resort. For Mom, check out Willa's women's wear boutique for all-inclusive outfits in full-figure-flattering designs.
For home decor, brave the various silk-plant jungles, painted plaster statuaries and Abe's Window Fashions for the full line of vinyl vertical blinds. The As Seen on TV booth has all those late-night infomercial sundries you always wanted without paying the shipping and handling on. And if that weren't enough, your favorite discontinued fragrance, still in its special edition Exclamation! gift set, awaits you.
The Fantastic Indoor Swap Meet Where: 1717 S. Decatur. When: Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
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