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Antikvariát Karel Křenek
Antikvariát Parízká
A classic antiquarian book and print shop on the city’s fashionable shopping street, this spot features artful exhibits of rare maps, botanical prints and historical engravings in window displays.
Antiques Ahasver
Antique linens and clothing—including folk costumes from 1900–1938—is what this store really specializes in. But they also have jewelry, ceramics and other small items. The owner is delightful and speaks excellent English. Credit cards are accepted, but if you pay in cash, you should be able to negotiate 10% the price.
Artěl
Run by U.S. expat Karen Feldman, Art?l is one of Prague’s most beautiful stores for glass, jewelry and more. Feldman launched her line of handmade crystal glassware in the 1990s, and her many inspired collections are a stunning blend of modern design and traditional craftsmanship (the glasses are mouth-blown and decorated by hand in the Czech Republic). Her gem-like store, near the House of the Black Madonna and Czech Cubism Museum, has a dove-grey display wall where the colorful creations are dramatically back-lit. The boutique also features innovative glass jewelry and a small selection of Czech accessories and children’s toys—all designer objects that Karen selects herself. A second branch is located at U Lužíchého semiáré 7 (Prague 1 right by the river and Charles Bridge).
Boheme
This small boutique, a block from Parízská Street, specializes in knitwear. Founded by Hana Stocklassa, the shop features clothing with a Sonia Rykiel–meets–an–edgier–Marimekko sensibility, mixing feminine knits with bolder pieces.
Botanicus
This apothecary’s handmade botanical soaps and lotions make great souvenirs and gifts. All the products are made from organically grown plants. The family business, which is based at a farm outside Prague, also runs an educational center.
Botas
This nightclub–type store sells very cool Euro-style sneakers.
Culinaria
Dana
While this store also sells ceramics, porcelain and chandeliers, I tend to come here mainly for their Christmas ornaments, stopping in throughout the year to check out their inventory, which is always clearly displayed at the counter. I should mention that if you’re looking for natural handmade ornaments, this stop is not for you. What you will find here are wonderfully colorful and glittering ornaments in all shapes and sizes.
De Fakto
Design by Donlic
Globe Bookstore and Coffeehouse
The Globe, an English-language bookstore founded by five American expats in 1993, is situated in a historic coffeehouse and offers more than 10,000 new and used books, foreign newspapers, and Internet access, along with readings and live music. Its walls are decorated with photos of famous writers; visiting laureates have included William Styron, Amy Tan, Gore Vidal and Julian Barnes.
Hana Havelkova
Award-winning designer Hana Havelkova creates and sells her chic and wearable women’s wear in this charming boutique.
Hracky
Despite its prime location near the Prague Castle, this toy store charges extremely fair prices, and happens to have the best selection of Czech tin toys that I’ve seen in Prague, as well as an excellent collection of wooden toys (including a marvelous Noah’s Ark with exquisitely carved animals, some of which verge on being Cubist in design). Also be sure to check out the magnetic marionette sets, including dioramas—an excellent item for a 5 to 7 year old.
If
Known for her one-of-a-kind silk designs, from evening dresses to suits, Prague native Ivana Follová prefers to work directly with clients on custom pieces, but you can buy from her shops, including an art gallery/boutique where she also carries jewelry, purses and ceramics by local artists.
Jiri Svestka
This contemporary gallery, which also has an outpost in Berlin, represents highly talented modern artists.
Klára Nademlynská
A Prague native who studied fashion here and apprenticed in Paris, Nademlynska launched a ready-to-wear collection and launched her first boutique in the 1990s. Nademlynska’s feminine, power-dressing clothes are a staple of Czech fashion magazines, and her necklaces, which often feature leather and large beads, are lovely.
Kubista
Specializing in Cubist design, this gallery is located in a city landmark, the Black Madonna House, which was built as a department store in 1911 and now contains the small Museum of Czech Cubism. The aptly placed boutique features original and reproduction Cubist-era furniture and objects and books.
Leica Gallery
Though located slightly out of the way in New Town, this gallery cum café is well worth a visit for photography lovers.
Ma Maison
This store on the chic Dlouhá street sells rustic and shabby-chic French-style homewares.
Manufaktura
Moda Original
This shop sells funky design items including fashion, accessories and home goods.
Modernista
Pod Lampou Marionety
In this adorable shop, children and adults can make their own marionettes.
Pour Pour
Qubus
This cool store highlights Czech artists and designers and sells denim, sneakers and notebooks.
Shakespeare and Sons
This English-language bookstore doubles as a vibrant local hangout. Shakespeare and Sons sells lots of contemporary fiction and attracts crowds with regular readings and concerts.