The Butcher, The Baker, The Candlestick Maker & More Artisanal Shops To Know
By Something CuratedExploring some of the best places around to buy everyday essentials of a high quality, Something Curated takes a closer look at the people behind a selection of London’s finest grocers, butchers, bakers, coffee shops and more.
General Store || Merlin & Genevieve
General Store is a small and beautifully designed, neighbourhood grocers located on Bellenden Road, Peckham. The shop’s elegantly curated shelves are lined with items that have been produced with thought and care, and a clear aesthetic sensibility. The informed and approachable owners champion an ethical and honest approach to sourcing and selling. A nod to the traditional grocery shop, General Store offers a bit of everything, from homemade baked goods and vegetables, to cheeses and fresh coffee.
174 Bellenden Rd, London SE15 4BW
Lina Stores || Filippi Family
Located in the busy neighbourhood of Soho’s Brewer Street, Lina Stores has been importing and selling authentic Italian produce since 1940. This family owned shop was first established by a Genoese lady, Lina. When she later returned to Italy, Giovanni and Rosa Filippi took over. Three Filippi generations, Gabriella and Antonio’s son-in-law, Massimo Perdoni, continues the long, proud family tradition. Stocking a range of nostalgia-inducing brands as well as rare findings coming from Italy including burrata, bottarga, gnocchi and ‘nduja, Lina Stores is today somewhat of a Soho institution.
18 Brewer St, Soho, London W1F 0SH
Estate Office Coffee || Joe Thomas & Clark Griffin
Estate Office Coffee, previously a Western Union, sits opposite Streatham Hill Station and serves up specialty Allpress coffee and sweet treats like cakes and cookies. Owners and coffee fanatics, Joe Thomas and barista Clark Griffin officially opened the doors of this uniquely designed coffee shop in 2016, after meeting in their local café. The interiors are just as charming as the building itself, with the counter made of reclaimed Iroko wood from school science labs and the menu board a rescued and lovingly restored museum display case.
1 Drewstead Rd, London SW16 1LY
HG Walter || Peter Heanen
Established in 1972 and serving more than 30 Michelin-starred restaurants, HG Walter is an independent, family-run butcher, dedicated to perfecting traditional methods of meat preparation. Pristine cuts are attractively displayed under rectangular glass vitrines, glistening in various shades of pink. With meat sourced from small, passionate British farmers, the butcher ensures both quality and diversity on their shelves. Peter Heanen established the business in the 70s, taking over an existing shop called HG Walter and kept the name. Currently his three children Clare, Adam and Daniel collectively run the business.
51 Palliser Rd, London W14 9EB
Rachel Vosper || Rachel Vosper
https://www.instagram.com/p/BC2TRSErMwT/?hl=en&taken-by=rachelvosperbelgravia
Rachel Vosper is a leading British candle chandler and home fragrance expert, specialising in hand-poured candles and signature home fragrances, designed and created in her Belgravia atelier. With over 20 years of experience in the candle making industry, Vosper has designed and created bespoke candles for an array of businesses and private clients worldwide. With new collections each season and regular creative collaborations with British artists and designers, Vosper also offers customers a Bespoke Fragrance and Design Service and a resourceful and truly unique Refill Service.
69 Kinnerton St, Belgravia, London SW1X 8ED
Conservatory Archives || Jin Ahn & Giacomo Plazzotta
Conservatory Archives is a veritable oasis, a calm retreat away from the noise of urban life. Inspired by a visit to Edinburgh Botanic Gardens, Jin Ahn decided to go back to university to read Horticulture and whilst studying she noticed the lack of emphasis on indoor gardening in London. Together with Giacomo Plazzotta, Jin opened Conservatory Archives on Hackney Road in 2015. Select pieces of furniture and accessories sit among the architectural shadows cast by the many variations of tropical plants, with an aroma of fresh coffee and the sound of old records filling the space.
493-495 Hackney Rd, London E2 9ED
E5 Bakehouse || Ben Mackinnon
The E5 Bakehouse, an independent, organic bakery housed within an invitingly decorated railway arch beneath London Fields station, was started by Ben Mackinnon. Whilst staying in the Alpujarras, Andalucia he stumbled on a bag of flour and a packet of yeast and baked himself a loaf of bread. A seed had been planted but it wasn’t until some weeks later when he was in Fez, Morocco that the idea really took hold. Today, the E5 Bakehouse is home to a small, committed group of bakers, chefs and barristas, and the space actively promotes the work of local artists and entrepreneurs.
395 Mentmore Terrace, London E8 3PH
Feature image: General Store (via Workshop Coffee)