Q. How long are the units of rental?

A. We rent on a weekly basis. You can return things before they are due, but it does not affect the pricing.

Q. What about pricing?

A. The pricing is by week and by item. We try to charge between 15%-35% of what the item is worth for the first week price (sometimes less if the item is expensive, sometimes more if the item is heavy). The second week is half of the first week price. Then, the third week and every other week are a fourth of that first week price. Here is a table:

However, we understand that most people have budgets and we are flexible with our offers. If there are items in which you are interested, please feel free to contact us and request first week prices on the items.

Q. What kind of payment do you accept?

A. We accept cash, check, and credit cards (in person or over phone). At least half of the rental price is required to be paid upon pick up (with few exceptions).

Q. Is everything you have pictured on your site?

A. Not at all. We are constantly adding to the online inventory, but we have a 36,000 sq. ft. warehouse bursting with items, so we could not possibly portray all of them. So, if you are looking for something and you do not see it, please ask. Or come on down to the warehouse and take a look around.

Q. What kind of stuff do you have?

A. If you have browsed the pictures, you can get a little of an idea of what we carry. Obviously, because we have so many various things, it would be impossible to give a concrete answer. Generally, we have antique set dressing items. Most of the things in the warehouse are genuine antiques, things that actually existed and were used at some point in time. Mostly, our inventory specializes from the 1920s-1970s, but we often can work in other eras as well.

Q. Can I purchase things that I see in the pictures?

A. We try to keep our sales and rental inventories separate. You can purchase any picture located in the sales category, but not the rentals.  Or, you can find us at an antique show in the Chicago area, hawking our wares. We also do restaurant design and décor and sell items to those facilities.

Q. What happens if things get damaged?

A. If something is broken beyond repair, full cost of the item is due (which is usually about four times the first week price, but not always).  If we deem that the item can be repaired, we charge for the hours of labor it will take our shop to repair it (at $30/hr), as well as administrative fees that are usually around $20. Just try not to break stuff.

Q. Can I alter the props for my rental?

A. All alterations/repairs have to go through our approval. In general, the only alterations that are allowed are those that improve the integrity of the piece. Permission is not usually granted just for color changes or additions. Also, if the items is original and would decrease in value from any tinkering, permission is not granted.

Q. Do you guys make props?

A. We do have a full fabrication shop. However, the shop is often building things for the restaurants that we decorate, so advanced notice is needed and availability is sometimes limited. Also, all props that we build are for purchase in which you pay materials/labor/etc., not rental. Our shop can make about anything that you can imagine, and usually at a cheaper cost than other fabrication places.

Q. Will you deliver my props to me?

A. No. We only have one truck and the restaurant décor side of our business uses it. So, if it is not on the road, it is filled with stuff. It is up to the renting party to coordinate pick-up and drop-off of their items. If your items are too large for your car, you can rent a truck or hire a messenger service. If you do come yourself, please make sure the vehicle is the appropriate size for the items that you are picking up. If you don’t know how big a vehicle you will need, ask us. Also, nothing leaves and nothing is accepted back after 5pm (Monday-Thursday) or 3pm (Friday); please make sure your delivering company knows this.

Q. What about shipping props?

A. We do occasionally ship props to other parts of the country (outside of the Chicagoland area). The renter must pay all shipping costs there and back and a handling fee. Some props are too valuable to us to ship them, and some are just to heavy to make it worthwhile. So we do, but we are a little squeamish about it.