So Moshi Moshi—the Japanese-themed store/art gallery that used to reside over on Lower Burnside—moved next door to Billy Galaxy at the beginning of this month. This makes sense, because both Moshi Moshi and Billy Galaxy are owned by the same dude, who is named, uh, Billy Galaxy.

I stopped by Billy Galaxy and Moshi Moshi early this afternoon to check out the new digs—Galaxy has taken over the space on Burnside that used to be that weird little video store, Watch This!, and has completely renovated it. Now there’s a big open space in the wall that previously separated Billy Galaxy and Watch This!, so the two stores share register/counter space. (Though you still have to go outside to go back and forth between the stores, which is kind of a pain—especially if you, like me, are tremendously lazy.)

Billy Galaxy is much the same as I remember it being (though, admittedly, it’s been a few years since I last visited): It’s crammed to the rafters with vintage action figures, comic books, obscure records, glassware that’s classily emblazoned with scenes from Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, and things like, oh, I don’t know, a fucking BIB FORTUNA ERASER.

Moshi Moshi, on the other hand—which I never visited in its old location—is airy and open and minimal, featuring art on one wall (this month’s exhibit is a benefit for Buckman Elementary, and is all Mr. T-centric—my favorite of the works is at the top of this post) and boasting a range of stuff from apparel to stuffed animals to cell phone straps to whatever crazy/cute shit the Japanese are into these days.

(Galaxy also has a Moshi Moshi branch in Tokyo, which is at 2-27-10 Nishiogi-kita in Suginami. I did not visit that location. However, Galaxy told me it’s much the same--though instead of Japanese kitsch, there they sell American kitsch. Which simultaneously makes perfect sense and blows my mind.)

Galaxy noted that he moved Moshi Moshi so that the store would get more foot traffic, unlike the location across the street from the Doug Fir, which he noted was a “destination location.” Thanks to First Thursday and Moshi Moshi’s proximity to Powell’s, Jackpot Records, Reading Frenzy, and (obviously) Billy Galaxy, the move seems like a smart one.

Anyway: Now you know. So if you’re in the neighborhood, it’s well worth swinging by either or both of those stores. (If you want to get all Google Maps about it, both stores can be found at 912 W Burnside.) And if you do go by there, it’s also well worth buying this as a present for me, which is only $8, and which, ever since I left, I have been kicking myself for not buying.