We visited the little wine windows of Italy, and now it’s time to pay a visit to the “Klek” (kneeling) boutiques of Bulgaria.
These little below-eye-level shops are common in Sofia, Bulgaria.
You’ve got to literally be on your knees to shop here. The concept arrived after the fall of the Berlin Wall when Bulgaria moved away from communism and legalized private ownership.
Bulgarians could now own their own businesses, but due to the high costs of rent many people were unable to afford their own place.
So, using their initiative and creativity they started setting up shops that operated out of the basement of old buildings and soon klek shops were spotted along the sidewalks of Sofia.
Most of the shops sell snacks, drinks, alcohol and cigarettes although you can also find shoe repair shops, or service businesses such as laundry shops.
All the goods on offer are kept safely behind glass-covered shelves that surround the window,
Customers choose their items, crouch down, and pay the owner.
While their big boom was back in the 90s, many shops are still maintaining their businesses around busy roads and walkways. You’ll find most of them strategically placed beside bus stops.
Most shops are open late or 24 hours, making the klek synonymous with after-hours nightlife– a convenient local amenity for party-goers on their way home in need of a quick bite, hair of the dog or a nicotine reboot.
