I was going to say that was a bike ridden by a peon.

I have a 1939 rod-brake Raleigh with rims that I thought would make finding tires difficult. I actually asked that question of Sheldon, and he assured me that "normal" tires would work. It's possible your rims are of a different style, but I suspect the guys at the LBS just don't really know, and are preferring to err on the side of not getting blamed if things don't work out.

theoldbicycletrader in Britain has brake pads and other parts for rod brakes - so those shouldn't be an issue either.

Good luck with that one. Looks like it will keep you occupied for a few months. At least it will if you work like I do.