Best brick and mortar stores you know
It's the season to be Jolly and all, but I know most of you hate going to brick and mortar stores especially if they're crowded! :D
However, there's something really special about going to a brick and mortar store and have a conversation with someone who knows what they are talking about. Also some stores are really awesome. I thought having a thread with cool stores in several parts of the world would be cool, people travel, might as well have our own shopping guide right here!
I'll start with a few I know. In Porto- Portugal, the Lello Bookstore. A really old bookstore, specialized in mostly travel, art and photography books, but it does have a bit of everything. It's mostly known by it's quirky architecture and for being the inspiration behind the Harry Potter school of Magic.
https://38.media.tumblr.com/a12f19d1...p7xco1_500.jpg
In Florence- Italy, Abacus- Firenze. A few years back I found a really cool book binder, they make books, planners and journals by hand. I bought a couple of leather backed planners at the time, they are lovely. You go in and can smell the leather, sign the visit book, talk to the owner, it's pretty cool!
http://www.walkaboutflorence.com/sit...?itok=yeRYWbxY
Again and because this is a watch forum, in Porto- Portugal, Relojoaria Mendonça, a brick and mortar watch store, it's been open since 1957 and a family business. It's a really old school establishment in the middle of downtown porto. They offer real watch repair services and can even build parts for old watches or micro brands if needed. I lost a screw for my Orsa watch band and they made a couple for me with the same finish as the original, I now have a spare. They carry: Breitling, Casio, Gucci, IWC, Jaeger Le coutre, Longines, Omega, Oris, Pequignet, Raymond Weil, Swatch, Tag Heuer, Tissot, Hamilton, Seiko, Guess, Camel Active, Cerruti, Elleta, Zenith, Chronoswiss, Calvin Klein, Maurice Lacroix, Gant and Citizen.
Can't find a decent pic though.
A worthy mention to two places, although they are not small family businesses. Harrods and Fortnum and Mason food sections in London-England. The whole store is what you would expect for a large store, but the food sections are AMAZING!