Corner Shop Collectables

The owners of this shop have got their tongues firmly planted in their cheeks and I love it! I’m in here practically once a fortnight just to browse around or give myself a little lift when I’m feeling glum. There’s always some fascinating artifact or relic that I hadn’t seen before because there is just SO much of it. Chinese lanterns, Mounted deers’ heads, US license plates, antique cameras, walls covered in masks and racquets, crockery, glassware, hats, old potions, an impressive collection of owls and the odd bit of taxidermy…
Having said all that, much of this chintz is surplus to requirement. Some may say that the point of most antiques is that they’re surplus to requirement but I’m afraid I’m a little bit more of a utilitarian than to need a stuffed mongoose. The books and accessories however just keep me coming back for more.

Corner Shop Collectables is the most interesting antique shop I’ve been in, with several items I haven’t seen anywhere else. A full size skeleton is one of the first things that comes to mind. (He was dressed up in a hat, though, to take away any scariness.) Other cool stuff included mannequins (full and a few pairs of JUST THE HANDS), plants displayed in bed pans, teeny tiny figurines, hair pins in the shape of hats, antique cameras and rotary telephones.
There was also all the usual stuff: books, dishware vases, jewellery, less tiny figurines (mostly in animal shapes), paper lanterns and some sewing patterns. I’m probably forgetting a bunch — there was a lot to look at. In summary, it’s worth the mini-​hike up St. James to check it out.