Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Peter's Unusual Harringay Junk Shop Closing Down
Way back in 2010 I stumbled across Peter's Junk shop on Park Road. I have to admit it's kind of fallen off my radar a bit since then. That was until today when I got an email from Ladder local Nicola who wrote to me to tell me that the shop is now due to close. The property owners are planning to develop the site apparently.
Nicola wrote "It's the end of an era. Anyone who's never been to the treasure trove right under their noses should get in there quick. It really is a unique place - a proper cornucopia of stuff and stories - and Peter is a wonderful, zen character who must have touched the lives of hundreds of local people in his time there and have some incredible stories to tell."
It's terrible how we all of us let things slip by. So thank you for the heads up Nicola, I'm going to get myself down there. Sounds like you all should too. In the meantime, NIcola offerd me this video about Peter and his shop.
Tags for Forum Posts: peter's junk shop
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Protheroe O'Shea on
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Such a shame. Although it's never open when I walk past.
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Permalink Reply by SarahC on
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That's sad - I always think of that shop as one of the reassuring sights of the local area, a tribute to the fact that not everything is about marketing and presentation and there are a few mysteries left. That said, I haven't bought much over the years (incongruously, I particularly remember a 1960s book on interior design...), mainly because I always rather fear that once I start I'll never stop. Lovely film, which confirmed my impression of him as a nice chap.
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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I don't think it was anything to do with campaigning. It's a short documentary film by Jaha Browne that was funded by and screened at the BFI.
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Permalink Reply by martin on
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I really like Jaha's film! In the nooks and crannies of an increasingly pre-planned and packaged London, like the bright-eyed foxes of midnight, are hunters such as Peter. His tactile grotto of astonishingly varied 'stuff' is the opposite of virtual... it's a physical history of our lives and many other people's lives, of things touched, worked and used... much like the results of a massive and roaming archeological dig into our culture.
I have meandered at Peter's grotto many times, will miss it sorely, and our streets will seem greyer without Peter's colours.
I saw him today, and he said to say hi to all the people who have met him during his 15 years on Park Road.
He said his opening hours are now 3pm to 7pm, all days of the week except Sunday and Thursday.
He also said to say: if any reader here knows of a place in or close to Haringey, which he could perhaps re-locate to, or any ideas in this regard, then to please contact him.
Meanwhile, his closing date here approaches -- go say goodbye, or see his shop for the first time, and take a momento home with you !
Peter is a diamond of a man. He reminds me of the words of the poet, Robert Frost:
"I took the road less travelled, and that has made me what I am."
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