Shoreditch’s first pop up shopping mall, Boxpark, is now open, so we went down there yesterday to see what it’s all about.
Created by ex-owner of Boxfresh, Roger Wade, Boxpark is made entirely out of shipping containers, making it a low-cost, environmentally efficient retail concept. It also fits in with the regeneration of Shoreditch, filling that ‘no man’s land’ space between Shoreditch High Street overground station and the main road.
Boxpark is even more slick than expected and has a cool urban streetwear feel that is well-suited to east London. Brands include Lacoste Live, Dockers, DC Shoes, New Era, Farah Vintage, Original Penguin, Irregular Choice, Marimekko and Phaidon.
The stores are small enough to be showcases for each brand’s best pieces and the staff are good ambassadors, looking typically cool and stylish.
One of my favourite finds was Playful Promises, a vintage-style boudoir filled with gorgeous lingerie, nightwear, jewellery and burlesque accessories.
One of the more unusual stores is Onepiece, an American Apparel-style shop selling only a selection of cuddly preppy or alpine onesies!
The sales assistant rocked a navy alpine patterned jumpsuit with panache, but I can’t help thinking that anywhere other than the east end or up the mountains, they’d be a hard look to pull off!
The top tier of Boxpark is filled with restaurants and cafes including Bukowski, Foxcroft & Ginger, Mexway, Hôp Namô, Pie Minister, chop’d, and Frae.
Mexican food is always my first choice, so we went to Mexway for a burrito (£5.95). The Yucatan pork was slow-cooked for four hours and came with rice, black beans, lettuce, fresh tomatoes, sour cream, cheese and medium-hot salsa.
The burrito was huge, tightly packed and full of juicy sauce – one of the best I’ve tried in London. Most of the restaurants and cafes have indoor seating, but at Mexway, you have to rely on the heat from the fiery salsa and brave it on the benches outside (well worth the chill).
To warm up for the bus ride back home, we got a take-out chai latte and hot chocolate from Foxcroft & Ginger. Like their original cafe in Soho, hot drinks are served in china tea cups and there is a delectable selection of home-baked cakes, gourmet sandwiches and cooked brunch.
Boxpark is a great addition to Shoreditch and looks set to become part of the Spitalfields Market and Brick Lane shopping circuit. I’m looking forward to going back with a shopping list of Phaidon books and trying a Bukowski burger!
For more info and opening times, visit: www.boxpark.co.
All photos by Chérie City