thresh·old (thrshld, -hld) n

A piece of wood or stone placed beneath a door; a doorsill.

An entrance or a doorway.

The place or point of beginning; the outset.

or

The starting point of an experience, event, or venture.........

There are loads of little details that we think will make the new map gift shop stand out!  One such detail  has involved the skills of stone mason Paul Cullinane.  We are really delighted that Paul accepted our commission to make our new threshold.

Paul Cullinane with the cross from Gloucester Cathedral

Paul's work can be seen around the world - in 2011 while travelling around New Zealand he found his skills in demand in Christchurch when the destructive earthquakes and aftershocks rendered the famous cathedral unsafe.

Closer to home he's worked on  Wells and Gloucester Cathedrals.

Detail from Gloucester Cathedral

as well as the British Museum.

I especially love this quirky gargolyle and Green Man!

Although our commission is on a much smaller scale, it will be something every visitor
to 'map' will be touched by!

Threshold stone to be infilled with contrasting concrete -

Finished Stone we are looking forward to updating this blog 
with a photo of it in situe soon!

and here it is, looking great - it has become a real talking point, treating everyone to a grand entrance!

Channel Flip

It's certainly a very exciting time at map. 

Channel Flip will start filming the first Internet only based film for You Tube at map gift shop towards the end of this month.

The entertainment channel has a huge following and map will feature in 2 important scenes. Although we are sworn to secrecy the film script has a lead character played by an already highly addictive You Tube star. 

map gift shop have suggested other locations for filming (They are looking for a cafe and an off licence too) in the area so this could be Archways first film featuring  many recognisable locations. 
 
 Ian...'It all very exciting, especially as filming will take place in the newly refurbished shop, the last time I remember film crews buzzing around the area they were filming the Mike Leigh film 'happy-go-lucky', some 5 years ago'

Watch out for release date and further details soon!

map gift shop 20th anniversary refurb - The Little Shop with Big Ideas

Ok -  so we have hinted about some big plans for next week and many of you already have an idea about our not so secret plans......so we thought we'd give you some more details and also a few visuals about the big 20th anniversary refurb and share some of the historic references that led to our design scheme and new look for the next 20 years!

Streetscene of us and our neighbours from 1904
image provided by Lyndon Goode

Ernest Milner’s historical survey photographs from 1904
Showing the curved corner shop front of no. 93

We were delighted that our application to upgrade our key corner position on Junction Road, within the St. John’s Grove conservation area was successful and a grant towards the cost of our scheme has been awarded.  Working with local architects Lyndon Goode we set about designing a new frontage which through sensitive design would enhance the individuality and character of the building, as well as providing improved access.  Relocating the entrance from the existing location at the corner to the side elevation (on St John's Grove) will provide an effectively level access for our disabled customers and those with pushchairs and prams, as well as creating the opportunity for a more coherent elevation to Junction Road.

Visual by Lyndon Goode Architects

The proportion of the new shopfront, as well as materials and details used in its execution, have been considered in relation to the immediate context of the building and streetscene as a whole. Design elements have been inspired by historical reference to earlier uses, including the use as a butcher’s shop. A key feature of the new shopfront will be the use of a ‘showcase’ to the corner of the elevation, with reference to the curved masonry detailing above. 

Another feature makes reference to the butcher’s hooks that were present on the elevation, with the placement of a row of alternate bulbs and hooks fitted to the fascia. This will provide a sense of fun and originality that echoes the ethos of the shop, as well as reference to the building’s history.

Last and not least is our new signage with  rebranded map gift shop name - which with it's bold circus style lighting and distinct vintage feel reflects our personality, sense of fun, style and originality as Archway's leading gift shop for now and decades to come.

Inspiration for new signage

Historical reference points - 

The opening of the Junction Road railway station on the Tottenham and Hampstead Railway in 1872 on the corner of Junction Rd and Station Rd, and the creation of the tramway transformed the fortunes of the area which became a bustling shopping centre.

The beautiful restoration of properties such as the St. John’s Tavern and Bread and Bean have begun to recapture Junction Road in the glory for which it was originally intended. 

St John's Tavern no.91

Bread & Bean no.37 Junction Road

But the fabulous original Victorian features are juxtaposed with the more controversial modernist architecture of Archway tube station and Archway tower. There have been
petitions to demolish the concrete block, and even a recent art project comprising of the
opportunity to look at the vista with the tower digitally removed from view! 

How to make Archway Tower Disappear by Ruth Ewan
image provided by Lyndon Goode

Yet the desire to erase such a now distinctive feature of Junction Road arguably seems to go against embracing its rich history, and constant fluctuation in the landscape and fortunes of the locale, at map gift shop we hope for a more productive use of Archway Tower sometime soon - please!

We look forward to showing progress reports of our brand new shop front next week, we will be closed for at least 2 weeks (sorry not to be more specific at this point), but we are using the time to decorate and refurbish our interior too.  Thank you for your continued support and patience.

Easter..... more than just chocolate

We are always being asked for ideas for Easter gifts as an alternative to chocolate - so here are our top 10

At 10 From the award winning range "Birdy" by Cubic these cute egg cups - a set of four featuring british birds Thrush, Wagtail, Blue Tit and Robin this lovely gift comes in a beautifully illustrated box!

Birdy Egg Cups £17.95

At 9 These snugly slippers called Ruby Rabbit are irresistible they are made in Kathmandu by shaping the wool with soap and water by hand pressure, no chemicals are used during this process. The Tibetan lambs wool is first carded and then dyed into different shades, the pigments used are all environmentally friendly.

Presented in an organic cotton drawer string pouch!
................particularly relevant this year as the arctic conditions continue..........

Ruby Rabbit Slippers £22.50

At 8 - Any special occasions this Easter - Weddings?  House warming?  For a very special gift this Easter - how about this vase by Rob Ryan with the wonderful wish from the flowers 

Please smell us!

Rob Ryan Vase £39.50

At 7 The wild bird "Matilda Hen" What a great bird! With cream unruly feathers and a red crest on the top of her head, we think she is a quirky addition to the fabulous Jellycat range!

Not recommended for children under 1 year - due to fibre shedding

"Matilda Hen" by Jellycat £14.50

At 6 Easter is traditionally a time to get out in the garden and get on with all those spring jobs - for those of you brave enough to brave the garden this weekend your'll need a nice cuppa to warm you up!  "Listen to the world" Enamel Cup

Rob Ryan Enamel Cup £9.95

And for the top 5

At 5 More Egg cups these colourful eggcups from PiP studio have a nest of eggs inside - so cute!

PiP Studio Egg Cups £3.95

At 4 Continuing the Egg cup theme - Our featured Artist for Spring is Rob Ryan.  "Happy Egg" has the lovely sentiment -" this Egg will be enough....as long as I still have you!" This beautiful gift comes as a set of 3 in Rob Ryan's signature gift packaging.

Happy Egg Set of 3 Egg Cups £17.50

At 3 Baking is a current national obsession so how about making some easter egg crispie cake nests?  These nesting cake tins are the perfect presentation!

Birdy Small Nesting 3 Tins £12.95

At 2 Easter wouldn't be Easter without the Easter Bunny right?  This adorable bashful bunny from Jellycat will make a great gift to be loved - for a very long time!

Bashful Bunny £8.50

And finally at number 1 - Our top favourite Gift for Easter is this Bunny Night Light.  An absolute winner of a gift and a great alternative to a chocolate Egg!

Bunny Night Lite £4.95

Wishing All our customers a very happy Easter our opening hours are:

Good Friday Open 11am-4pm
Saturday Open 10am - 6pm
Easter Sunday Closed
Easter Monday Closed

Archway N19 & Tufnell Park - Coaster Giver Away

The Archway N19 and Tufnell Park coasters have been enormously successful - so much so we are adding new neighbourhoods all the time - Kentish Town will be in store soon!  

As you know we love Archway almost as much as you do - and since most of customers live locally we decided we'd like to give away some coasters in return for a review on google map!

So what to do if you'd like to take up this offer is:
For our shop customers:

Please come in (and take advantage of out 20% "Happy Birthday" discount - tell us you have written a review of map gift shop - we will check your review and give you a coaster absolutely free with your purchase.

For our online customers:

Please write your google account name and which coaster you would like to have in the comment  box in our shopping cart when you purchase - then we will pop a coaster in with your purchase!

The way to write a review on google+

1. You need to login with your google account.
2. Search "map gift shop archway" on google map or click the direct link
3. Find "write a review" button on the top right side, like the image below.

Thank you for all your help and hope you will enjoy our special coaster!

Celebrating 20 Years in Archway!

Happy Birthday to us!

We have been in Archway for 20 Years – and to kick off our Birthday celebrations we are having a massive 20% off everything YES EVERYTHING Sale until the 6^th April, as a thank you to our loyal customers many of whom have become friends over the years.

We have major news about some big changes at our little corner shop which we have been secretly planning for almost a year - so watch this space over the next few days and we will spill the details of our new look for the next 20 years!  

It's beginning to feel a lot like.....Spring

Rob Ryan's designs are delightfully spring like, full of joy and optimism.  Wistful and whimsical, he freely admits his pictures and stories are unashamedly sentimental. 

I really love his reinterpretation of the classic antique Staffordshire pairs which were exhibited last year at Charleston - the bohemian home of the Bloomsbury group.  Rob Ryan was inspired by the work of the Omega workshops as a student in the early eighties - the influence of their subtle palette and spontaneous use of pattern,  as well as their broad approach to the decorative arts is reflected in his own work and philosophies.

“What I saw with my own eyes was all I needed to know. Amongst that (quite crudely) painted and decorated furniture, screens and ceramics was a joy in making that I just didn’t see in the contemporary art of the eighties that surrounded me.”

He has collaborated with many different artists & designers as diverse as Lulu Guiness and Paul Smith.  At map gift shop we are delighted to stock his range developed with Wild & Wolf and his card range by Roger La Borde!

The "Four Seasons" Set of 4 Plates makes a great gift - especially for weddings or spring birthdays.  Each plate depicts the season through the cycle of a tree- with words typically sentimental quotations, and packaged in a stylish branded box.

"Four seasons Plates" £29.95

Perfect for some spring blooms - this lovely vase stating the flowers wish "Please Smell Us.........."

Rob Ryan Vase - Please smell us £39.50

And my personal favourite - who wouldn't want to save their pennies for a rainy day in this delightful money box?

Money Box £20.95