Reykjavík Grapevine - 04.07.2008, Blaðsíða 50

Shopping
alive and kicking
EVENTS
Skólavörðustigur, that clas-
sic street of colourful tin
houses and shops advanc-
ing up to majestic Hall-
grimskirkja church, has
been looking a bit worse
for wear in recent months.
Between the green scaffold-
ing of Hallgrimskirkja, and
the big orange backhoes
along Skólavörðustígur,
Leifur Eiriksson’s heroic
stance is subtly betrayed,
now scouting over a messy
construction site. With all
the patience of a glacier,
construction has been mak-
ing its way down the street
from top to bottom, blocking
off traffic and seemingly
business. To get to the top
of the hill, pedestrians must
navigate paths around fresh
asphalt, deep ditches and
heavy machinery, scuttling
over wooden bridges that
shield new piping. However,
Skólavörðustígur still has a
healthy amount of activity
about it despite these nui-
sances and shops are main-
taining regular hours and
bringing in customers as
much as ever.
Eggert Feldskeri
The Furrier shop Eggert Feldskeri is still going strong as it has for over fifty years.
A little, understated shop nestled at number 38, it sells every kind of animal from
rabbit to bobcat to leopard, all designed by Mr. Eggert himself. Because every piece
available is one of a kind, and few species for sale are actually native to Iceland so
prices here can really soar. But even if you don’t plan to buy anything, it’s worth at
least a browse through Eggert’s luxurious menagerie.
Café Babalú
The space outside Café Babalú has already begun being munched upon by tractors,
but the cozy little coffeehouse still manages business as usual. Packed tight with
old furniture and fully shelved bookcases, you’ll feel as if you’ve fallen back into
your Grandmother’s kitchen. What’s more, you’ll never want to leave.
Yggdrasill
There is still space between the encroaching construction and Yggdrasill, but even
when it finally reaches it, we at Grapevine doubt it will change much. Offering
everything organic from food to cosmetics, Yggdrasill is always full of health-con-
scious shoppers. And when school gets out, the organic ice cream brings children
in seeking a healthy treat.
The Naked Ape
The hip and colorful designer store The Naked Ape rests at the intersection of
Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur, selling clothes and accessories as well as other
curiosities, all in the trademark’s vibrant colours and patterns. The Naked Ape
soon plans to celebrate a three-year anniversary, and a full three years of serving as
an irreplaceable mainstay of the Reykjavík shopping scene.
12 Tónar
12 Tónar, located further up on Skólavörðustígur, remains an indispensable part
of the Reykjavík music scene. All at once a music store, coffee shop and an inde-
pendent label, 12 Tónar has become a perfect hangout for music lovers, who can
f lop on a couch with a cup of coffee and enjoy the music selection for hours.
Skólavörðustígur may have temporarily lost some of its charm under layers of new
tar and tractor treads, but its spirit still survives in each of the unique little shops
along it. Brave the towering machines and winding fence, there’s still plenty to find
on this treasured street.
B12 | The Reykjavík Grapevine | Issue 09 2008
Listings & Shopping
Shopping | Venue finder
12 Tónar
Skólavörðustígur 15
| G8
A record label as well
as a store, all the best
new Icelandic music
on CDs or live on Fri-
days at 5 PM.
Aftur
Laugavegur 23 | G7
Aftur’s internation-
ally acclaimed label is
proudly displayed here
in their shop/studio.
Álafoss
Laugavegur 1 | F7
The downtown outlet
for famous makers of
traditional Icelandic
woolens.
Belleville
Laugavegur 25 | G7
Stuffed with trendy
streetwear designs as
well as funky maga-
zines and media.
Blue Lagoon Store
Laugavegur 15 | G7
All the natural skincare
products from the fa-
mous geothermal spa
at their outlet here.
Cintamani
Laugavegur 11 | F7
Featuring quality
Icelandic outdoor gear,
you can even book an
excursion on the spot.
Dead
Laugavegur 29 | G7
Artist Jón Sæmundur
Auðarson’s own hand-
printed Rock and
Roll label, Dead, plus
others.
Fígúra
Skólavörðustígur
| G8
This shop features
Icelandic designer
wear, everything from
street clothes to party
dresses.
Friða Frænka
Vesturgata 3 | D5
A real treasure chest
of antique furniture
and vintage accoutre-
ments to perk up your
apartment.
G-Star Raw
Laugavegur 86 | I8
A store for the Dutch
jeans brand, an edgy
collection with innova-
tive details and washes.
Galleri Sautján
Laugavegur 91 | I8
Stocking many hip
labels, a unisex store
offering casual busi-
nesswear to evening
dresswear.
Glamúr
Laugavegur 41 | H7
A flashy vintage cloth-
ing shop with every-
thing from necklaces
to fur coats to kimonos.
Handprjónasam-
bandið
Lækjargata 2A | E6
All sorts of hand knit
woolen clothing as
well as fine yarns and
knitting supplies.
Iða
Lækjargata 2A | E6
A great source for all
kinds of reading mate-
rial, with restaurants
on the second floor.
Kisan
Laugavegur 7 | F7
An interesting mix of
items from all around
the world you won’t
find anywhere else.
Kisuberjatréð
Vesturgata 4 | D5
A lovely gallery/gift
shop run by ten artists
and designers where
they sell their products.
Kolaportið
Tryggvagata 19 | E5
Open on weekends,
you can get a bargain
on almost anything at
this indoor flea market.
Kraum
Aðalstræti 10 | D6
Featuring the best in
contemporary Icelan-
dic design of everyday
items of any kind.
Kronkron
Laugavegi 63B | I8
This hip new shop
stocks the latest trends
in everything from
socks to sweaters.
Liborius
Laugavegur 7 | F7
One of a kind, very
high-end shop featur-
ing the latest, crispest
designs for both sexes.
Mál og Menning
Laugavegur 18 | G7
A multi-level store with
games, books, sou-
venirs and a bustling
café on the top floor.
Nakti Apinn
Bankastræti 14 | F7
Offers an amazing ar-
ray of colorful designer
wear as well as con-
temporary media.
Spúútnik
Laugavegur 32 | G7
One of the best sec-
ondhand shops in the
country, with recycled
clothes at a range of
prices.
Trilogia
Laugavegur 7 | F7
A collection of trendy
designer wear fills
the shop, summery
dresses, sweaters and
skirts.
The Viking
Hafnarstræti 3 | E5
This large tourist shop
sells all sorts of smart
souvenirs to bring
back home.
Reviewed by Nathaniel Flagg
Continued from B7
Eistnaflug
July 10-13
The summer’s largest Metal
and Rock festival. Eistnaflug
(Flight of the Testes, a pun on
the name of Iceland’s more
traditional outside festival,
Neistaflug.) is a must for all
rock fans in Iceland. Renowned
for being a wild party, the
festival now offers two tenting
areas, one for families and
people who want to take it easy
and the other for your everyday
cantankerous party animal.
Creative Summer Groups
Reykjavík is a city of wonders.
Instead of getting mad when
teenagers want to goof off all
day and dance and play music
the city pays them. Well it does
liven up the city, supports
artistic interest and keeps the
kids busy with something other
than drinking, drug abuse and
premarital sex. Every Friday
the groups storm the town in
a whirlwind of dancing music
and acting. More information at
http://www.hitthusid.is.
Prayer Hour
July 4 at 21:00
Artist Snorri Ásmundsson
has quite often been in the
spotlight for his uncomfortably
controversial experiments
but his newest event may not
be so uncomfortable at all.
A one hour prayer session
at Hljómskálagarður, where
people from all creeds, races
and religions are invited to join
together and pray in whatever
way they want, to whichever
higher power they want about
anything the want.
Reykjavík Safari
July 10 at 20:00
On Thursday, July 10, you can
take a guided walking tour of
downtown Reykjavík where the
culture and history of the city
centre will be introduced. You
can choose if you want to join
an English, Spanish or Polish
speaking guide. The walks
take about an hour, after which
all three groups meet at the
Reykjavík Art Museum for an
intercultural get-together with
some music, coffee and a light
snack. Sverrir Norland, poet,
songwriter and “poet laureat”
of the youth culture house Hitt
húsið, will perform. The walks
start at Reykjavík City Library
at Tryggvagata 15. They are
free of charge and require no
booking. The program is hosted
by the Reykjavik City Library,
The Reykjavik Art Museum,
City Museum and the Reykjavik
Museum of Photography.