The Fan Man

Elite '08

32

185

karin b.

Grapevine, TX

When Charles first posted about this, I filed it away for a future visit.  Today was it.

Bummer, bummer, bummer.  My parents are here with my aunt (all from out of town).  My aunt's house was always full  of antiques, until Katrina made matchsticks of the house and all in it.  So, I thought this would be a good place to take her where she may find something suiting her fancy in rebuilding her "material" existence.

They were closed.  2:00 p.m., Tues afternoon.  The sign in the window indicated the hours are 9 - 6, or something similar.  Then a sign next to that sign read "call for appointment".  Go figure.  This after it took 45 min. to drive there from the Royal/Inwood area due to blinding rain.

From the sidewalk, it did look fascinating, thusly the 2 stars, but if you decide to make a visit, definitely call first!

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Elite '08

18

86

Charles L.

Plano, TX

I found myself not far from the Lakewood Theatre area needing to kill an hour and remembered the review for the Fan Man and searched the place out.  I actually found his showroom.  A long narrow shop it's, as you'd expect, filled with fans.  From the 1890s to the 1990s, although most around the 1930s to 1960s.  It's like a small fan museum and it's more interesting then you'd expect.  Some very interesting designs, failed experiments, it's like a trip back in time.  You'll find more then a few things here marked not for the sale.  The rest are fairly expensive, but if you have a house filled with antiques, an old fan may be just the thing you need for a finishing touch.  You'll find some other items like old irons, hair dryers, waffle irons, and some awesome phones.  I didn't visit his store/repair shop but one customer said it's much larger.

I loved a lot of the old two bladed models, even an interesting ceiling fan with a blade shaped like a sliver of the moon.  Some ceiling fans worked like someone waving a large fan/leaf above you.  (Think those scenes from tropical resorts)  I'd never have a room to put it in, but it's cool.  A few had some very experimental blade designs.  Very eye catching.

Jim, the owner (not Asian) is apparently one of a few people in the US that repairs and collects these old fans.  If you are down in this area for lunch stop by this small showroom/museum for a quick trip back in time.  It's worth a few minutes to look around.

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