Take your own time to explore bandra's the shop -- a boudoir-like roomy store -- that sells clothes, furniture, crockery and knick-knacks
Take your own time to explore bandra's the shopu00a0-- a boudoir-like roomy storeu00a0-- that sells clothes, furniture, crockery and knick-knacks
The charming nooks and crannies of Bandra that once revealed fun shopping addas are gradually being taken over by cramped stores, suffocating trial rooms and cheap Bangkok imports. Just when we were losing hope, we strolled into The Shop near Pali Naka, and we knew the world was a brighter place once again. Don't be fooled by the largely unimpressive window display (move over, limp bandhani skirt)u00a0-- the roomy store, with a 40 year-old Delhi outpost, is anything but boring.
The glazed clay tableware range is sourced from Pondicherry
Though The Shop is still to receive its complete stock of furniture and clothes, it's delightful to spend a couple of hours in its cosy, boudoir-like setting and many connecting rooms (it was somebody's home not so long ago, we were told), each dedicated to a theme, be it clothing or crockery.
Though the primary space where the cashier sits is dedicated to printed bedcovers, tablecloths and jewellery (snowflake-shaped earrings in pure silver, with a gold finish, priced at Rs 2,700 are waiting to be snapped up), a space on the side that stocked a small range of soaps (Rs 155 onwards) made us smile even on a Monday morning. The handcrafted bath products came in the shape of dentures, yellow smileys, a slice of lemon and even a pair of red lips that quickly pouted its way into our shopping cart. The numerous antique Victoria Station gold clocks (Rs 1,200 each) caught our eye too. 
A handpainted metal bus can serve as a fun toy for kids (Rs 350)
Move further inside for crockeryu00a0-- one wall lined with pieces made from Sheesham wood, while the opposite side displaying glazed clay products. A gorgeous wooden dressing table (Rs 18,000) with floral motifs on its inlaid tiles stands in a corner, with streaked edges of the mirror making it look like it had spent time in an old Parsi house. We were told that it came from Jodhpur instead and assured that it wasn't a secondhand piece, just made to look like an antique piece. We approve.
Two other rooms stock clothing for adults, in natural fabrics and, thankfully, even in large and extra large sizes that seem to always be out of stock elsewhere. We couldn't resist picking up a pair of drawstring pants (Rs 410) and a sunshine yellow kurta (Rs 490), the latter from the scanty menswear section. The kurta has a soft, buttery feel to it. Mulmul, is it? The super price range and simplicity in cuts and designs extends to the nightwear, kaftans and kimonos in the adjacent room as well.
We almost missed the kids' room on our way out. Stuffed animals made from recycled scrap (ooh ufffd the dino) sit pretty next to toys, and a shelf of books and art kits that will let your kiddo learn all about local art forms like Gond, Santhal, Patua and Madhubani. The itsy bitsy clothes, divided according to the style and age group, are adorable and beautifully priced (a printed spaghetti dress for Rs 275 seems like a good deal, doesn't it?). What's delightful about The Shop is that apart from these goodies, you are bound to find knick-knacks stocked in places you might not notice at first. Like a bunch of wooden hairpins lying inside a massive beer mug that we thought might work well as stirrers too. Rummage around, and you shall be rewarded.
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At The Shop, 57/116, ground floor, Drego House, Ambedkar Road, Bandra (W).
Call 26487887/8
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