Tucked near the end of Main Street, right beside the famous Moose Jaw tunnels, Past Times Photography & Gifts is a must-stop for Moose Jaw locals and visitors alike.
According to its slogan, Past Times has “gifts galore from ceiling to floor” and it’s hardly an exaggeration. One step through the front door will have visitors craning their necks to take in everything the store has on display.
The fullness of the store is entirely part of its charm, and owner Mike Thul has been filling Past Times with giftwares, collectibles and decor for over twenty years. He looks to find the most unique items possible to include in the collection.
From decorative signs to postcards to artwork to mugs with funny sayings, Past Times carries a little something for everyone. Whether your taste runs towards shiny and crystal, or rustic and country, this gift shop likely has what you’re looking for and more.
Decor makes up the largest part of the offering at Past Times, and garden wares are big in the summer, with lots of things like decorative yard spikes and wind-spinners on display. The store also carries several lines of handmade products, stocked by local makers.
One of the store’s most popular features is the refinished furniture it regularly stocks. From dressers to cabinets to repurposed doors, furniture is one of Past Time’s most interesting offers. Each piece is individual and one-of-a-kind, which means customers are unlikely to encounter the same item twice.
Although Past Times has the word “antiques” on its sign outside, the store doesn’t carry as many old collectible items as it used to — but there are some historical gems scattered throughout the shelves for customers to stumble across like a scavenger hunt.
Items like old comic books, serving dishes, luggage sets and even vintage toys are ready to be discovered by the right eyes.
The most “antique” offering at Past Times is its photography service — but only because it allows customers to take a step into the past themselves.
The studio on the left-hand side of the store specializes in old-timey photos, where customers can choose from a variety of costumes and settings to immerse themselves in the past for a unique memento. Past Times Photography is able to do photos set in the Old West era, the roaring ‘20s or the Victorian era, with costumes to fit a range of sizes.
Past Times is also the official supplier of Chocolate Moose candy and fudge, a Moose Jaw staple that makes for a perfect shopping treat. The shop also carries a whole selection of other old-fashioned candies, like Cracker Jacks and Lucky Elephant popcorn.
Thul purposely stocks his store with things people aren’t likely to find in any other gift shops in Moose Jaw, and he hears often that every visit to Past Times is like a whole new experience because there’s always something new to see.
Past Times is a great experience for a first-time visitor, but regular customers also find the store is “surprisingly unexpected” every time they stop by — which is actually the city of Moose Jaw’s logo these days.
The store is located at 26 Main Street North, open from Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information on available products, check out the Past Times Facebook page or visit pasttimesphotos.com.
