WPC: A little shop on the corner

This not so little and not really a shop is in the corner of Slovenia that not everybody visits. If history of usefulness is your thing, make a note.

This is Kras, or Karst plateau, the region of Slovenia known for its caves, prosciutto and wine. This place is a sort of reward that a wanderer might get who first comes to Lipica near the border with Italy for the Lipizzaner horses and then has a look around, as some Irish did when we were there.

Lokev is just three kilometres away and “Fabiani – Placer” museum shop, more a museum than a shop, showing what a mixed goods shop looked like in the early days, lies in the middle of it, opposite the church and the inn.

It is only open in the weekends, and only from April to October, but if you catch it open, the enthusiastic and knowledgeable curator Miro Slana will make you remember it forever.

Miro’s wife is the great-granddaughter of the original owner who opened the shop in 1869. His heirs ran it until 1948. Since then it stood closed and gathered dust and artefacts until ten years ago when the current museum shop emerged.

Thank you, parents and Miro, for a truly illuminating visit. 

Greetings from Lokev. How it was.

How it is now.

Miro Slana, in “civilian clothes”.

But he soon turned into a curator.

Here great order, sense and style prevail.

Suchard makes Milka chocolate.

Before the shop we visited the church and brought the new parish priest along. Could be any one of the three, right? 🙂

Talking about a blast from the past.

A bit too young to remember most of these. I know Kolinska though.

And we all know – and possibly still use – Ilirija shoe shine.

Both Slovenian beers happy together. Both still bottled.

Plenty of knowledge of industry, history and humour was shared.

The time stands still in here.

Didn’t Bond Street also make candy?

The star is “Yugoslav Packaging Oscar”.

Tobacco products.

Booze. The Indian sells Lionstone Whiskey.

The scales, the guestbook and on the right some actual homemade products on sale: mushrooms, jam, brandy and liqueur.

The favourite object of every shop-owner, says Miro.

Tell it like it is: “Adria powder is better.”

Imagine if these seeds were put into ground and something grew…

On the left: “Be decent!” On the right: “Do not bring the dog in the shop!”

We did. 😀 And we all enjoyed it. Thank you, Miro!

Look at that: an artefact has moved! 😀 If you call from abroad, change 041 with +386 41.

Right next to the shop on the main street.

Photo: © signature mmm

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: Corner

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