Hare hoarding
It all started with a nickname. Candace Frazee called the love of her life “honey bunny,” and Steve Lubanski, the object of her affections, liked it. In fact, he was so taken, on their first Valentine’s Day together, he gave her a plush bunny. Then, for their first Easter, she gave him a porcelain bunny. Not wanting to wait for the next holiday, Steve started giving Candace a bunny every single day. Within five years, they had amassed 7,000 rabbit-themed items. By 2016, that number had spiked to over 32,000.
Since 2011, the museum has held the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of rabbit-related objects. There are also about a dozen live Thumpers happily hopping around the place. One of them is a Flemish giant, unique for its huge size.
Info
Address 1933 Jefferson Drive, Pasadena, CA 91104, +1 626.798.8848, www.thebunnymuseum.com, sila88@aol.com | Getting there Unmetered street parking | Hours Daily, by appointment only; $5 suggested donation| Tip Go for a hike at nearby Eaton Canyon (1750 N Altadena Drive, Pasadena, CA 91107). Try the trail to the waterfall, about 1.5 miles from the Eaton Canyon Nature Center.
Shopping for bunny paraphernalia is a passion for the love buns. They find their treasures at secondhand boutiques, swap meets, and gift shops – especially during post-Easter sales. One gem was discovered at the Goodwill thrift-store chain. Steve picked up a plush bunny and laid down a quarter for it. Little did he know what a steal he had sniffed out. It was a Gund – a famously expensive and collectible German brand of stuffed animals. When he checked later, its value was a comparatively prodigious $85.
Frazee welcomes visitors warmly, leading them from room to room, enthusiastically sharing stories and background about the collection. The entry corridor is lined with glass cabinets crowded with porcelain cottontails. Sneak a peek into the private hallway, and you might glimpse a tower of packaged toilet paper featuring bunny graphics. The overflowing house has fuzzy creatures smashed into every possible crevice, eliciting both bafflement and wonder. Even the yard features a gigantic rabbit topiary.
Want to know the “hoppy” couple’s favorite object? Their lips are sealed – that would be like picking a favorite child!
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