By Arthur Tam
Central, Causeway Bay and Mong Kok may be Hong Kong's shopping hotspots, but there are hidden gems in the Eastern District, too. Here are our picks to check out.
Wander Kagu
This camping store with a Japanese aesthetic houses urban outdoor fashion and lifestyle products sourced from around the globe, including the US, Japan and Norway. You will find stylish backpacks, jackets and boots for your adventures into extreme terrain or more city-appropriate fashion like sporty sandals and kimono jackets. And if you’re looking to spruce up your apartment, Wander Kagu also has a selection of minimalist household design accessories and homewares. Unit 405, Eastern Centre, 1065 King's Rd, Quarry Bay, tel: 6899 9622; wanderkagu.com
Woo Ping Optical
If you're looking for a cool selection of eyewear from the 1960s and ’70s, Woo Ping is a one-stop shop for all of your needs. The shop has been around since 1974, and it's still a hit with old-school locals and hipsters alike. It carries relatively inexpensive deadstock frames that come from Japan, and filling a prescription here won't do too much damage to your wallet. Probably the best part of Woo Ping, apart from its selection of cool retro glasses, are the lovely elderly couple who run the place. They're warm, friendly and extremely helpful. 278 King’s Rd, North Point, tel: 2571 7810
Toyzone
If you’re a toy collector, a geek or someone who just likes old Hong Kong culture, Toyzone is the place for you. Hong Kong, after all, has long been a major toy exporter – and you’ll get a sense for that in Toyzone’s massive space. Packed floor to ceiling are row after row of cabinets housing collectible vintage toys from the 1970s and ’80s. There are also newer Japanese action figures like Mazinger Z, Gundam and Saint Seiya. You are going to want to spend a bit of time in this treasure trove sifting through the incredibly large inventory of toys from Hong Kong and around the world. Shop 2002, 2/F, Smiling Shaukeiwan Plaza, 17 Nam Hong St, Shau Kei Wan , tel: 2882 6850; toyzone.com.hk
Midwest Vintage
This could be one of the Hong Kong’s coolest vintage shops. Not only does it carry Native American-inspired print tunics, suede cowboy jackets, cowboy hats, track jumpsuits and leather boots for all of your musical festival needs, the shop also makes its own original clothing items by repurposing vintage fabrics. These include denim patchwork dresses, shorts, tunics and beautiful knit kimonos pieced together from old jumpers. Shop 58, G/F, Victoria Centre, 15 Watson Road, North Point, tel: 2802 6886; midwest-vintage.com
AO: The Photo Book Centre
Besides offering a unique, appointment-only exhibition space spanning over 10 floors in a Chai Wan industrial building stairwell, Asia One also has a photography bookshop that stocks its own published books focusing on our city’s thriving art scene, as well as rare and limited edition books from renowned international photographers. If you’re in need of a bit of visual stimulation and inspiration, this is the place to be. 13/F, Asia One Tower, 8 Fung Yip Street, Chai Wan, tel: 2889 2320; facebook.com/asiaoneproductandpublishing
Shopped enough and want to absorb a bit of art and culture? Read our story on the top four art galleries in the Eastern District here.