As I will be traveling a lot this month I try to prepare some posts upfront. I might take some time to reply to any comments, but I hope this small "dark shopping series" has all the information necessary. If you have any recommendations for further shops just tell me, I'm always happy to get to know less mainstream goth shops…I want to be really honest with you. I had some mayor issues with the owner of this store in the past, so my review might be biased. If you are easily influenced and don't want to read about my personal problems with this store, skip the upper part, just read the points about location, staff and so on.
The owner of this store has set up a stage during the Essen original festival two years ago, where sevaral shows (including some modeling) was palnned. But he refused to offer food or drinks to the bands (which he contractually signed before), he changed the time table whenever he wanted, had an x-rated sado maso show during daytime with children watching and forced bands to play during rain with uninsulated cables. Everyone else gave their best to get the show running, but he sabotaged the whole show. Therefore this shop will never see any money neither from me nor from my boyfriend.
So, I entered the store with some prejudice in my mind but try to be nice here. I like the store layout, you kand find easily what you are looking for. The staff members are helpful, but don't rush and supervise your every step. You can find many known brands here, but the prices are high compared to other stores in Essen or the internet stores.
Location (where is the shop, is it easy to find, parking etc.):
Again, a store which is not very central, but if you are on the way to the bullet store, this one is almost next door! Parking is not the best over there, but it's only 10 min per pedes to the Limbecker Platz.
Design (is the shop clean, are there changing rooms, ambiente):
It is pretty dark inside, but this might be good for the "I'm so tue, is piss darkness" crowd. I like to see which nuance of black my black is ^^. I think that the darkness hides flaws in the clothes to be honest. So I prefer more light in a shop even if the main selling group are gothics. I like the decorations in the display window, especially the frankenstein always makes me smile when I pass!
Selling range (only selling big brands or independent designers? How many different brands?):
Well, they are only selling brands, and even just the very big ones like Aderlass, Sector One and Mode wichtig. There is a lot of cyber wear, so if you're interested in neon clothes and have the moy to boot, this is a good store!
Staff:
The staff is nice and helpfull, they look for other sizes if you are in the changing room and the clothes don't fit. But on the other hand they tried to sell me a skrit that was not only too short for my figure but also had a very unflattering colour. Hmmm.
Overall rating: 13/20 zombie thumb ups
Well, as I said in the beginning, I try to be objective here. But I won't buy there. I kand find the same cloth in the internetshops, sometimes for less money. While the staff is nice, they also try to sell even if the clothes might not suit my body type. If you are looking to stock up on neon pink or dead bunny prints, this might be a good store. But I won't give my money to the store owner...
