Shopkeepers
Style & Architecture
Above & cover: Lunettes Selection, Berlin
STOREFRONT BUSINESSES AND THE FUTURE OF RETAIL
Written by Jade Moyano
Shopping isn’t what it used to be. At this point, everything can be bought online for the lowest price and maximum convenience … everything except a unique experience. If you don’t want to leave your house to get what you want, you don’t have to, and that’s a compelling selling point. However, digital commerce lacks the human factor that keeps people returning to physical storefronts. The retail landscape in general has been lacking the personal touch that an individual shopkeeper can bring.
Here is a selection of remarkable concept stores from Gestalten’s latest book, Shopkeeper’s that prove being an outlier always pays off.
LUNETTES SELECTION
From vintage finds to design classics, Lunettes features a selection of original glasses that are quite entertaining to browse through. Find unusual vintage eyewear or unworn originals from the stockpiles of manufacturers from round the world.
Torstr. 172, Berlin | LINK
SUKHA AMSTERDAM
Sukha Amsterdam is a cozy warehouse in the centre of Amsterdam well-known for its eco-friendly mindset. Focusing on sustainability in products, most of the items found here are Dutch designed or produced and carefully selected.
Haarlemmerstraat 110, 1013 E, Amsterdam | LINK
CASA DEL AGUA
Casa del Agua is a beautiful and innovative concept shop in Mexico City where water comes in all shapes and sizes. The water is served in specially-designed and reusable glass bottles, and it’s harvested and filtered on-site. The gorgeous space was designed by Hector Esrawe and Ignacio Cadena who followed the brand’s principles of transparency and timeless design.
Calle Puebla 242, Cuauhtemoc, Roma Nte., Mexico City, D.F | LINK
HIVERNACLE
Hivernacle is a greenhouse and gardening services shop located in the neighborhood of Sants in Barcelona. It is a paradise where you can find all kinds of plants, trees, flowers, land, fertilizer, phyto-sanitary, planters, garden accessories and more.
Carrer de Melcior de Palau, 32-36, 08028 Barcelona | LINK
COMPTOIR GENERAL
Hidden in a Parisian alleyway, this store meets museum meets bar and restaurant is meant to immerse visitors into a unique, creative experience. The space is broken up into five areas, including a snack stand with a sampling of mixed African specialties like lentil soup, samosas, and fried plantains.
80 Quai de Jemmapes, 75010, Paris
THE FOOD COMPANY
In this age of information abundance, Food & Company created a place for food lovers to meet and collectively explore the definition of truly good food. Drop by on a whim and end up trading delicious food tips, or simply get inspiration from the seasonal produce on the shelves.
3 Chome-14-15 Takaban, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan | LINK
OBSOLETE
This small, museum-like design store specializes in one-of-a kind art, furniture and decorative objects. The surprise gems at Obsolete’s are mind-blowing. Owner Ray Azoulay travels the world to find unique and rare objects.
11270 W Washington Blvd, Culver City, Los Angeles | LINK
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