Retro might be the fashion in general these days, but sitting in Miss Tasha’s Shop one gains the overall impression that this is the real deal.
And one with quite the backstory. Financial muscle for setting up shop was provided by crowdfunding; 108 women to be exact. Staff told The Nanjinger that there are at present about 90 stakeholders.
Opened in 2016, the building in which Miss Tasha’s resides actually dates from as recently as 1997. The interior design, on the other hand, is more reminiscent of the late Qing Dynasty or the turn of the Republic.
Yes, there is the usual tat to be found in every last retro cafe and its horse; typewriters, telephones, radios etc. But there are others that are standouts, such as the film projector. Not your usual 8mm sort; this is cinema grade.
While we reckon alert readers of The Nanjinger will come for the ambiance, the menu is worthy of mention, consisting of a large selection of the Chinese take on western food. Ordering is via WeChat or Alipay, while the online platform has sufficient English for non Chinese readers to be able to navigate. Photos of each dish/drink also make for simplicity.
Upstairs in one of two private rooms are hand crafts for sale; bags, trinkets and jewellery, some with prices in the thousands.
The rooms also make for ideal get togethers, or one of those “team building, corporate, breakout workshop sessions” which you always read about but are suspicious as to whether they are actually real.
That such a place exists on Chengxian Jie is not only on account of the nearby Southeast University, the history of the whole street is worthy of greater attention. For example, foreign students congregated here as much as 600 years ago; find out more via the QR code below.
One thing remains. Call us odd, but The Nanjinger always likes to pay particular attention to the bathroom. Here it’s worth a visit for the tile work alone.
Make no mistake, when stuck in a creative block and inspiration needs to strike, or when just seeking an alternate view, find it at Miss Tasha’s Shop.
Miss Tasha’s Shop is located at 115 Chengxian Jie, near Southeast University. Tel 15312040832.
