Surely anyone who hears the phrase ‘Fifth Avenue’, immediately thinks of Barneys, the New York Public Library, the beautiful Guggenheim and if they’ve seen The Apprentice (unfortunately) of Donald Trump at Trump Tower telling people that they’re fired. So it is really bafflement more than anything else which led me into a store called Fifth Avenue… at Nugegoda.
I was pleasantly surprised to find all sorts of trinkets here – think ‘The Lover’s’ more subdued and sensible cousin. It’s a small store but everything’s well organized and the place is usually deserted.
There’s a curious mix of traditional handicraft-like items (straw slippers, bags, leatherwork) and kitschy ‘Made In China’ toys.
They have some beautiful clayware fashioned into all sorts of designs for very reasonable prices. Be warned though, it is very dusty inside the clayware section.
Fifth Avenue has plenty of costume jewellery and although the beaded necklaces aren’t of very good quality, it’s what you’d expect for around Rs 150 or so.
There’s usually just one guy behind the counter who seems nice enough but he will follow you around for the entire duration of your visit. However if you’re willing to overlook that and you happen to be in the area, then the store itself is kind of interesting to rifle through.
