Be Nice or Leave. 

A perfect sentiment, one that adorns a simply made wrist cuff purchased at Lu Lu on Antique Row in downtown Tacoma. Little pink snaps hold it on. Made by Blue Q, a Pittsfield, Mass., company that’s been crankin’ out an incredible array of awesome stuff since 1988 and which employs people with disabilities in order to enable them to lead mostly self-sufficient lives. I’m jealous of Pittsfield that such a good company as Blue Q is based there. I’m also jealous of the graphic designers who come up with the imagery that graces Blue Q’s products.

Like many items sold at Lu Lu, the wrist cuff was reasonably priced at $5. Similar ones have skull images in the expected red, black and gray punk colors.

One shopping tote ($13) large enough to haul $50 worth of groceries has the words “Candy from Strangers” and “Your Mom Said It Was Okay” (a bit of dark humor, I know) overlaying huge cartoonish peppermint candies, little mice, and a small boy’s face. An odd mini pocket on the outside of the bag that says “Lemon Sours” is large enough to fit a lighter and not much else (was this planned?). I heart it and have added it to the other permanent bags I use for hauling stuff around and carting groceries home (plastic bags are from the devil).

Lu Lu also sells collectibles, French soaps, tricked jewelry, antiques, vintage items (purses, hats, handbags), stationery, oddball magnets, and other kitsch items. The shop has remained on Antique Row while others have come and gone over the last four years. Stop in and chat up the entertaining owner, Constance.

[Lu Lu, 761 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.627.6300, www.myspace.com/lulushop]