Every year, many of us aim to do our Christmas shopping differently. We all want to start the proceeds earlier and to shop through independent brands, rather than falling on the same online juggernauts. These are ten of the best independent stores in London.
London is full of carefully curated, welcoming gifting destinations with real heart, whether book stores that offer coffee while you shop, or atmospheric fragrance boutiques that promise candles that will become a present-giving ritual. The challenge comes from knowing where to start, which is why we’ve rounded up our ten favourite of London’s independently-owned, female-led stores to find beautiful, useful or luxurious treats for the people you love. A few are run by couples (because how could we exclude the legendary Books For Cooks or the cult Labour and Wait?), but we want to spotlight the women masterminding some of the capital’s most original and thoughtfully conceived gifting spots.
Spanning homewares, fashion, food and books, our collection is designed to provide a more considered, guilt-free approach to festive shopping. This is less about what to buy (we’ve got that covered here), but where to buy. In no particular order, we present ten of London’s leading independent stores to ensure everyone is happy this Christmas.
Choosing Keeping, Covent Garden
Cult stationery shop Choosing Keeping began life on Columbia Road in 2012 before outgrowing the space and moving to a corner on Tower Street in Covent Garden in 2018. Easily one of the capital’s most beautiful stores, it’s known for its curated selection of paper, pens, paints, notebooks and objects for desks. Founded by Julia Jeuvell, everything sold is the best, highest quality version of itself – a fountain pen first introduced to the market in 1934 or crème de la crème notebooks made in Japan. Its dated diary range make particularly great gifts, with each cover made using Italian decorative papers from Italy, designed as faithful reproductions of 18th century patterns.
Lala Books, Camberwell
Rarely has a book shop received as much buzz as Lala Books, but this intimate, community-led space is well deserving of the hype. Although South Londoners will remember its previous incarnation as Grove Lane Deli where queues snaked up the road for its chicken sandwiches, everyone loves its latest guise – a welcoming book store that’s designed to feel like someone’s living room. Each title is lovingly chosen by founder Danielle Moylan, and visitors are welcome to buy a coffee while they browse. Once you’ve finished sourcing literary gifts for your loved ones, stay for one of the shop’s events – this festive season there are plans for a festive quiz and wine night, as well as a wreath-making workshop.
Straw London, Columbia Road
A chocolate box of a store, Straw London has been a favourite among the East London fashion crowd for years. The focus is one-off pieces with a story, spanning beautiful white nighties (that can be worn as daywear), lambswool sailor scarves, comfy clogs and an array of vintage baskets with Jane Birkin energy. Its homeware is equally strong – make a beeline for the wavy terracotta candle-stick holders and French vintage wine glasses – as is its baby line (the gingham mustard trousers would make a perfect gift). From 26 November, Straw will begin its late-night Christmas Wednesday shopping evenings (open until 9pm), giving you more time to peruse.
Labour and Wait, Various Locations
When former menswear designers Rachel Wythe-Moran and Simon Watkins first opened Labour and Wait in 2000, they wanted to create the perfect general store. Twenty five years later, the pair will open their third standalone shop in Covent Garden this month – three times the size of their Redchurch Street flagship – but with the same commitment to beautiful objects of functionality and longevity. Whether the perfect fishermen’s jumper or a thoughtfully-made bread knife, you’ll find everyday items created with love and care that will last forever. The couple go to great lengths to find their stock, trawling European cities to find the perfect teapot or bath rack. In an age of increasingly fleeting trends, Labour and Wait deliver timeless products to really love. Each purchase is hand-wrapped in its trademark brown paper packaging.
Conservatory Archives, Various Locations
Step into a world of greenery with Conservatory Archives, a cult plant shop with two outposts – one in Clapton and the second in Islington. Founder Jin Ahn was born and raised in Seoul in South Korea where there was little space for horticulture, but felt a real need for an indoor garden – something she feels is key for urban dwellers. Over the years, her love of plants developed which led to her current two shops. Conservatory Archives specialises in rare plants, but you’ll find species that are easy to maintain too, ideal for presents. During the festive season, both spaces sell Christmas trees in case you need to pick one up while you’re doing your gift shopping.
Oneironaut, Shoreditch
Candles are a dependable classic when it comes to gift-giving, but East London’s Oneironaut do the best in show. Each scent is designed to “develop spiritual intelligence”, and while that might sound lofty, the results are divine. The smoky, woody Dickens is a resounding favourite at Citizen Femme HQ; once gifted, the recipient will ask you for a repeat year after year. You won’t find recognisable candle names here, but rather titles that encapsulate experiences, places or moments, for example Old Havana or Foggy Garden. Each unique scent is hand-poured in Shoreditch, East London and presented in hand-made ceramic pots, which can be returned and refilled for £16, rather than the £32 retail price. Bath and body products, diffusers and fragrances are also available, and the incense makes a budget-friendly treat, or stocking-filler.
Jo’s House, Herne Hill
Village-like Herne Hill, a 20-minute stroll from Brixton, is home to multiple independent stores worthy of your time, but Jo’s House is the perfect spot for gifting treasures. A lifestyle and homeware destination, the space is bijou but brimming with aesthetically-pleasing items, from hand-poured candles and ceramic mugs to Indian glass paintings and cosy socks. Stock is either locally-sourced, or by internationally-known brands new to the area. There’s a lot to look at, so come with a list of who to buy for and you can guarantee you’ll find something to satisfy everyone. The staff will never make you feel rushed, so take your time. Don’t forget to make a pitstop afterwards for either a Palestinian sourdough bun at Bunhead Bakery, or a glass of organic wine at neighbouring Lulu’s.
Mouki Mou, Marylebone
An oldie but resolutely goodie, Mouki Mou on Chiltern Street is one of the capital’s most stylish, artfully created stores – and it’s a go-to for chic gifting. Also in Athens and founded by Maria Lemos (co-founder of Greek boutique hotel Pagostas, a favourite of the fashion and art crowd), and named after her daughter, the fashion and lifestyle store is full of character-filled objects with integrity – think cosy wool socks, linen napkins made in Venice, and hand-carved wood bowls from Japan. Each brand available at Mouki Mou has a story and a history of craftsmanship and artisanal principles. Its sister store, MII, on the same street is also worth a visit, a moody, zen-like alternative offering menswear too, and if you’re looking for the perfect knit make a beeline for Navygrey’s nearby pop-up at 29 Marylebone Lane where shoppers are invited to come in for a cup of tea while they browse the rails.
Books For Cooks, Notting Hill
Notting Hill isn’t short of independent gifting destinations; Lucy Delius’ theatrical new jewellery store is ideal for those with money to burn, and Couverture & The Garbstore is a forever favourite for the fashion conscious, but Books For Cooks has our hearts. Masterminded by Heidi Lascelles in 1983 and now run by married couple Rosie Kindersley and Eric Treuille, it’s a go-to destinations for foodies around the world. Every day, the pair test recipes from the cookbooks they sell by making them in their small on-site kitchen and serving them to shoppers for lunch inside the store. As you can imagine, the concept has proven popular indeed and customers start queuing from 11.45am (no bookings are taken) to be in with a chance of dining among the books. A perfect place to find a treat for any culinary whizz while also enjoying a good meal in the process – what’s not to love?
Finley's, Hoxton
Whether you’re looking for a gift for the host of a party you’re attending, or just want to find something really special as a Christmas gift, a thoughtfully chosen bottle of wine makes a great present. Head to Finley’s in Hoxton, a neighbourhood bar and shop specialising in, as founder Sia Smith says, “wine made or owned by amazing, inspiring, kick-arse women”. Her goal is to ensure that, in a male-dominated wine business, women get the credit they deserve, and to help visitors find wine they love in an intimate, welcoming setting. She’s also on hand to answer any questions you might have about the ever-changing roster of 120 varieties, meaning you’ll definitely be able to source the perfect type for even the most discerning wine-drinker. Once you’re finished gift-buying, you may as well enjoy a glass yourself.
Lead image: Choosing Keeping
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