With a plethora of expensive fashion shops and tourist trap souvenir shops in the centre of Dubrovnik, meet a refreshingly original – and reasonably priced – shop celebrating the very best of Croatian products.
A few weeks ago a new shop opened in Dubrovnik, and while that doesn’t sound like anything spectacular, it really makes the world of difference to both the area of the city in which it is located (Ploce gate) and to Dubrovnik as a whole.
Shops in Dubrovnik, particularly in the Old Town have all become one and the same, for the most part anyway. T-Shirts, fridge magnets, lavender, key-rings and flip flops embellished with red and white checkers are all well and good, but too much is too much and we’re teetering on the very edge of becoming tacky and at best, utterly monotonous. There are of course some exceptions to this rule, but generally speaking there are three types of shop in Dubrovnik, the outrageously expensive ”fashion” stores that literally nobody ever goes in yet somehow manage to stay open season after season, the Star Wars and Game of Thrones tourist traps selling everything from plastic light sabers to socks with Yoda on, and the humble little Tisak selling questionable Made in China fridge magnets for 20kn. The contrast is huge and there is unfortunately very little room for the happy medium or grey area. Until now.
Kawa (Life According to Kawa) is not only different, but a cut above the rest. You’ll find it in a perfect, central location just outside of the walls, next to a restaurant and underneath another restaurant. The store opened last month and showcases the best Croatian designers and artisans, all while offering a select yet very wide array of high quality products, including craft beer, local delicacies, shoes and bags, wine, coffee, and unique and unusual souvenirs & cosmetics, and that is naming only a few items they have in stock. The prices for all items are more than reasonable and therefore readily available to ALL, and not just passing cruise ship tourists with money to burn. That alone makes this store stand out from all the rest in the city.
The beautifully designed store is owned by Jon and Sanja Kawaguchi, who have been in the hospitality business for a long time, are successful entrepreneurs and are successfully expanding their abilities, bit by bit.
Kawa is open from 9am – 12am, you can pay them a visit at Hvarska 2, 20000, Dubrovnik, directly to the left of Gustame restaurant.
Wishing you the very best, Jon and Sanja!
Learn more from the KAWA Facebook page.
