Kitschy, kitschy cool

The word tchotchke is a Yiddish word with several meanings and many pronunciations. Say it any way you want, but for this story its definition is a plaything or an article intended for ornament, which brings us to the Omelet House at 2160 W. Charleston Blvd.

Besides terrific omelets, sandwiches and all-around good food, this Omelet House (there are others) has a case of Americana tchotchkes set against the right-hand wall entrance (the opposite wall is covered with signed celebrity photos of Rip Taylor, Jerry Tarkanian, etc). What are displayed in this case are remembrances of another time — the shy Betty Boop in a number of different poses (starting at $24.95), or the Lone Ranger and his faithful steed Silver together as a cookie jar ($89).

In other words, kitsch. Serious kitsch.

There is more to the Omelet House than just omelets and this front case. Stroll through the various dining rooms and see the personal collection of Michael McGowan, founder and owner of the restaurant. He is constantly on the road shopping for the heart and soul of another time.

“As far as I’m concerned, Americans are the greatest collectors because we appreciate the simple joy of it,” he said. “Whether it’s Elvis or cars or tea pots or anything else, Americans have a desire to collect, and we just can’t help ourselves. It’s in our DNA.”

McGowan said customers enjoy the early American personality reflected throughout his restaurant.

“Our customers come from around the country and have been coming here for years,” said McGowan. “They walk around and point to something and comment how their grandmothers used to have a similar item in her bedroom or kitchen, or that their Uncle Tom used to collect black and white ceramic cows and roosters just like the ones over there. It’s a comfortable setting and people enjoy seeing things that remind them of their childhood. And they always want to buy what they see.”

Valerie Korbel is a restaurant supervisor. She knows the people who buy for their own personal collection or discover an appropriate birthday or anniversary gift.

“Right now, we have a 75th anniversary cookie jar of Betty Boop with matching salt and pepper shakers and a champagne stopper with the head of Betty,” she said. “The same with ‘I Love Lucy’ and other movie and television icons. A customer recently bought a bust of Marilyn Monroe as a wedding gift for her daughter’s growing collection. Others buy because the item is from a limited edition. And then there are the firemen who enjoy buying the red fire engine being driven and maintained by the Three Stooges ($99.95).”

The celebration for the nostalgia of the late-20th century popular culture lies at the heart of contemporary kitsch. It ranges from pink flamingos and shag-pile carpets to leopard skin and lava lamps. Maybe it is lowbrow art, but it is fun and colorful, and a surefire conversation starter.

To McGowan, though, it reflects so much more.

“Betty Boop is the No. 1 collectible,” said McGown. “She was always full of life and spunk and that’s how the country was at the time she was created. The country had a different spirit then; it was more innocent. People want to be reminded of that time. The same can be said for certain collectible cars, such as the 1953 and ’57 Chevy. They were muscle cars that were also works of art. That’s why I collect and save and why other people do the same thing. It’s our heritage and we pass them on whether it’s a painting or an antique wood desk or Elvis lunch box. All of this represents a time when we knew how to make and build things. These items are our national self.”

In spite of McGowan’s worldly travels, many of his discoveries occur in his own backyard. He enjoys walking through the Broadacres Swap Meet at Pecos Road and North Las Vegas Boulevard and can be seen shopping at many local antique shops.

“Besides the case in front, I have others in the back dining rooms,” he said. “People come in just to walk through the restaurant. However, they usually stop and have something to eat.”