*alliteration is addictive

So you’ve done the charity shops in Battersea. You’ve done the ones in Pimlico. You’ve been to Alfie’s Antique Market. And you want more. I think you’re going to love Eclectica.

Eclectica: practical information (and a handy tip)

Address: 803 Wandsworth Rd, SW8 3JH

Nearest Station: Wandsworth Road (Overground), Clapham Common (Northern Line), Clapham Junction (Overground, British rail)

Website: https://www.facebook.com/Eclecticacuriosvinyl/

Eclectica on Google maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9NkUfAkiUjFFGtBx8

Handy tip: if you want to search for “Ecletica” on the internet, use the search string “Eclectica Clapham”, because what do you know… there are quite a few Eclecticas…

Off the beaten track at its best

Eclectica, on Wansworth Road, in the Clapham area, is rather off the beaten path (unless you live in the area, maybe?). It’s one of those spots you stumble upon by chance, and then thank your lucky stars you did. And then you want to tell the whole world how unique and amazing it is!
Yeah, yeah, I hear you say, but what does it sell?

Yeah, but what does it sell, exactly?

Pretty much everything, that’s what. Clothes, games, ceramics, rings and rugs, books and lamps, affordable records and collectible ones, cheap bric-a-brac, old magazines, pictures, picture frames and framed pictures, jewellery, memorabilia and medals, toys both collectible and not, CDs and DVDs … it’s a long list. There’s quirky, chic, kitsch, modern, vintage, retro, handmade, even some made-in-China. I don’t know if the plum tomato plants are a permanent fixture, though.

A boutique emporium

Eclectica is rather like one of those giant department stores that sell every thing, but compressed in a beautiful vintage jumble in a south London front room. It’s a boutique emporium.
Eclectica’s motto is “EVERYTHING YOU NEVER KNEW YOU WANTED TO BUY!”. And…yeah. Exactly. Treasure box doesn’t even start to describe it. It’s better than the best charity shop you’ve ever been in, it’s a one room antiques market, your own personal treasure hunt.
Eclectica is one of those stores you could spend hours in, happily exploring that corner or this display, picking stuff up, trying to find any reason you can for taking this or that home. You can never have too many lamps! You can never have too many bags!

A very personal museum

For all that it’s small and crammed with stuff, Eclectica also has a carefully curated feel. It’s like a personal museum to the quirky and interesting, a nostalgia trip to the best of years past. And if not the best, the most interesting. All the credit for that goes to Samm Stanley, Eclectica’s owner, manager and shop floor star.

The internet tells me that Samm has a background is fashion. I’m sure that goes towards the aesthetic appeal of the stock and the way it’s displayed, like a thousand little vignettes all over the shop.

Samm is a friendly (and stylish, if I may say) guy, and always up for a chat with the customers. He really makes visitors to his shop feel welcome. He knows his stock inside out, so if you’re looking for something specific… do ask him. Such a personalized approach is yet another huge part of the appeal of Eclectica.

A one line conclusion

Eclectica: never has a shop name been so fitting.

Pin this