Le Chariot Express Shop

I used to be neighbours with the owner, he's a good guy! I don't think he's weird, he's just a normal guy who hasn't had some boss brainwash him into giving 'customer service' shtick.
I looked everywhere for a big soup pot and finally found one in here. He told me he used to be a chef and we discussed soup recipes. I haggled the price down and I'm now the proud owner of one serious soup pot.

I have been past this shop several times, and the window is always sooo interesting. Once i plucked up courage and went in. There was a Bakelite tobacco jar in the window marked at £25, and some large boat models too. Youre right the owner is strange, but i beat him down to £8 for the bakelite and he tried to give me a free vase, but i declined as my arms were full enough anyway. He tried to push it into my pocket as i walked back out onto the street, but failed. If i had my van with me i would probably have forced the 2 boats (one was 4 foot long and well made) into the back, but alas, i didnt. I had to squeeze into the place as it was full of furnature stacked on top of each other, with barely a space between piles to walk sideways in! These a similar shop almost opposite with weird things in, and again an unusual vendor! Then down the courtyard is Louis place !! Are these shops catching, or cheaper by the dozen? Anyway, i enjoyed them all.

Oh Le Chariot, how I love thee. Run by perhaps the most peculiar man I’ve ever encountered, this is essentially a large room full of tat that this fine gent has collected over god knows how many years. I don’t know if he actually sells anything to anyone apart from the large selection of bikes that he has chained up outside that people always seem to be taking for test rides. I hope he does. He bought my old bike from me and after I bartered with him for approximately 25 minutes to try and receive an extra £2.75 from him he locked me in a bear hug [you thought I was going to say cage didn’t you], gave me a kiss, told me he loved me and gave me a gift of a black and white photograph of 4 stern looking men in top hats and an equally stern young nurse sitting on a wicker chair in the centre of the aforementioned men. It is pride of place in my flat, and is an example of one of the delights on offer in this shop of wonders. Check it out, you might find something you never knew you needed.

Oh, it also has a large selection of tennis rackets and, more excitingly, old and mainly broken cameras. Which is nice if, like me, you are a hoarder who likes tennis and photography.

Strange is the first word that comes to mind when i think of this place, i remember the first time i went in, i nearly passed out when i caught a big whiff of its smell, it’s probably due to the curry place next door but all old stuff jammed into this shop must help the pungent aroma in some way…
If you raked around long enough in here i’m pretty sure you would come out with something pretty good, there is just about anything from old books to antique furniture, the owner is pretty weird but he can be sweet-talked into dropping his price if there is something in here that catches your eye

This is a VERY strange place. It is essentially a junk shop masquerading as an antique store. There are things stacked everywhere and you’re not quite sure what is lurking in some of the farthest corners. But if you’re willing to rake around and haggle with the owner you might just pick up some treasure. There is just SO much stuff - bikes, books, jewels, medals, pots, ornaments, furniture…. and on and on. However, a word of warning: the owner is rather strange. Last time I was in, I was with a friend’s little girl and he offered to buy her from me. It was very odd and we made a swift exit!