Coming out of the Underground Station on Great Portland Street on Tuesday after a busy day, I did a double take as I had seen a beautiful leather and silver choker in the window which I had been dreaming about for a few months. Now, I don't like jewellery shops much as I tend to feel under pressure if the sales people are over eager, but I ventured in. The shop is tiny, with two doors (one on the station side, one on the outside), glass cases and a till. There isn't room for anything else. The lady behind the counter was a delight! Friendly without being pushy, she explained that the one in the window had been assembled for someone who had then never returned, but If I wanted, she could make me another choker with a choice of clasp and have it ready for the following day, with or without anything hanging on it. The price was INCREDIBLY reasonable, in fact I saw one similar in Covent Garden the follwing day for 3 times the price! I was starting to get hot under the lights as I had puffa jacket, rucksac and projector wrapped around me, so I said I would be back the following day after thinking about it. Throughout, she was charming and honest, and I felt valued.
Next day, I went back in and bought it.
She had some lovely and unusual pieces for such a small place, and I would have been happy to own at least half of what she had! Unusual for such a well placed shop, very often it's low value, high turnover tat!
Next time you are passing Great Portland Street Underground Station, give it a look in! read more