I like the concept, but it leaves me a little bit unsatisfied (story of my life..?)…read more
852 - the country code for international calls to Hong Kong (not zip code though, we don't have one), and also the way the younger generation like to refer themselves as, sells gifts depict in old, local, "hongkie" feel that's in the collective memory of Hong Kong people.
Oh and they make the gift practically usable too. For the old school letterboxes, they changed them to a bag; for dim sum, they changed them to sponge; for the traditional bamboo theatres, they changed them to photo frames... so on.
Some of the design may carry more meanings than others. The pet bags are designed as public transportation (taxicab, bus, train), as pets are often unwelcome guests on board. Or the deck of Cantonese words playing cards, where you can actually learn some useful phrases you cannot otherwise learn from a "formal" Canto lesson.
I still have some mixed feelings about the shop. It brings you good laugh, but never able to actually buy something that's suitable as gift. Once I asked if they had something as simple as postcards (as in, the old, local, "hongkie" moments instead of the overused harbor view), and I got a very plain no for answer.
Some of the designs are really good, but only for a certain age group. More like inside jokes for the '70s and '80s, but they lose the value once you HAVE to explain the reference. That's another reason I have been hesitate to buy anything just yet.
Nevertheless, it has one of the best locations in PMQ and no doubt people will find it very interesting and do a lot of window shopping. One day I'll find some new products that I may actually like and buy.
