The New Nation of Shopkeepers
Small shops seem to be my obsession at the moment. Some good feedback on my last posting about Brighton got me thinking about my usual small shop haunts closer to home.
A mere 20 minute bus ride to SW11/12 takes me to the glorious re-emergence of the former ‘Granville Arcade’ now renamed ‘Brixton Village’. This indoor market had become quite faded in the past 20 or so years but is now in the process of rejuvenation. Thanks to its listed status (keeping it out of the hands of over eager developers) and the collective inspiration and effort of some local visionaries, a growing number of small shops are being set up inside.
Many are artisan businesses, others are quirky one-of-a-kind places; all are run by local entrepreneurs. It’s the embracing of creative ideas - often borne of budgetary necessity - that make these shops interesting, and the variety within them that make the place even more appealing.
My top three:
‘Circus’… a cool interiors shop selling up- cycled and recycled vintage finds. Owners Binki and Tabitha commissioned a super stylish set-up on a strict budget. The interior fittings are made from corrugated cardboard, sounds odd but look great and it works. Economical and sustainable too. Find them at Unit 79. 5th Ave Brixton Village Market. London SW9 8TR
www.circus5thave.blogspot.com/
Opposite Circus is ‘Federation Coffee’, owned and run by Mick and George. The coffee will sort you out for sure, as will the piece of home-made brownie that inevitably accompanies it. The price list on the wall (by the very talented Arno Maasdorp… www.eatwithyoureyes.net) is a slot-in children’s alphabet board spelling out the menu; an inspiring piece in itself..
I could go on, but last call for this post is for the bread shop ‘Breads etc’. Their own sourdough starter creates proper bread, all baked on the premises. A few tables outside each with Duralit toasters to hand mean it’s a good place to stop for sourdough toast and marmalade.
Brixton, by default or by design, has always carefully balanced the right mix of the seriously edgy and the seriously cool. This indoor street market’s philosophy now gives people a perfect opportunity to fulfil their own inspiring version of the game many of us (including me) have played since childhood and appeal to that very particular British instinct; the shopkeeper within!”
www.spacemakers.org.uk/projects/brixton/
