Andreas and Julia Michli's Cypriot Shop on St Ann's Road/Salisbury Road corner - time to use it or lose it folks

Hi neighbours

I'm writing this to encourage us all to put our money where our mouths are. We need to support this fantasitc little shop better to help it survive these difficult economic times.

Let me pour out my heart to you!

I love this shop. It's one of the best things about living around here.  

My husband and I pop in two or three times a week, for fruit and veg (recently their watermelon and figs have been amazing), halloumi, olives and their dried beans which you can buy by the weight. Julia and Andreas - and their staff Mehmet and a young man I don't know the name of - are just fabulous.

Mehmet often hangs around outside to look after my bike. Julia remembers my name and asks after my family. Andreas asks me what I'm cooking and tells me a tip or a trick to make it better, or tries to make me abandon my idea and try another recipe altogether! I've tried new vegetables I hadn't heard of and their olives are just delicious. They've got loads of spices, breads and greek cheeses too. Some of their products are a little more expensive than on Green Lanes, but many are the same or cheaper.

I've seen a few posts on here about this fabulous little shop on the corner of St Ann's Rd and Salisbury Road. I've read people calling it a treasure trove, saying it's the reason they moved to the area. I've heard praises sung of Andreas and Julia, being surely the friendliest shopkeepers in the area?!

Andreas and Julia are amazing people. They've had this shop and been part of the community since the 1970's. They work hard and so interested in their customers. Often when I go in, someone is pouring their heart out to Julia or Andreas is giving out natural health tips (rosemary tea is good for diabetes apparently).

Business is tough for little shops like this. We live in an era where more and more of us shop at bigger and slicker stores. Those of you who live on the ladder might not have even seen this shop before, as it's tucked away from Green Lanes.

They have plans to retire in the next few years, but Andreas and Julia have talked about selling up recently as business hasn't been good for a while. They are optimistic people, it makes me sad to see them looking dejected. I really don't want them to go and I'm sure those of you who know them don't either.

I'm now calling for us to support this shop better. If we want to keep it, let's make more use of it. If you stick to Green Lanes, come down and see this shop some time. Bring neighbours and visitors. If they don't have what you want, ask them, they'll more than likely try and get it for you. (I am working on organic milk which is apparently tricky for small businesses to source effectively - if you want this please do ask them!)

I try and spend at least £10 per week in there on food on principle. If 100 of us were to pop in and spend a fiver in there per week as part of our weekly shopping, that would make a big difference for them. 

Can you help?

With love,

Shilpa

PS-

We will also need to help them find a replacement buyer in the longer term, as this post says http://www.harringayonline.com/forum/topics/andreas-michli-wants-to...