The Creaky Shed
This is just the sort of shop that needs to be encouraged. A Royal Hill Lovely, the Creaky Shed is a little gem selling all manner of good quality fresh fruit and vegetables mainly on a seasonal basis. I adore going in there because it's so well laid out - everything in neat baskets of overflowing plenty. Unusual vegetables jostle with more workaday favourites and there are also one or two interesting jars of accompaniments such as apple sauce and sundry jams and pickles. Outside the sweet little window is always a gorgeous display of abundance - flaming pumpkins and strange squashes in Autumn, jolly tangerines, nuts and shiny things in the run up to Christmas and shocking pink sticks of champagne rhubarb and giant naval oranges in the gloomy depths of January - just when you need a bright, cheery pick-me-up. That particular row of shops has to be my favourite in Greenwich, for colour and sheer cuteness.
The service is personal and friendly and I never feel embarrassed to ask for just one or two of anything or enquire what something actually is - and, indeed, what to do with it if I buy it. The fact that it's rather dark inside would normally make a shop a bit gloomy, but the friendly atmosphere and the veritable cornucopia of jewel-like fruits and vegetables is such that it feels sumptuous rather than dim. The prices seem initially high - but you don't have to actually buy a kilo of this or that - you can just ask for what you need and they'll happily weigh it out for you. Frankly the quality is better than some of the frankly manky stuff I've seen at Blackheath Farmers Market on occasion. (I don't mind odd-shaped or mudddy - I've got an allotment, goddammit - but some stuff is just plain poor quality.)
My only complaint is that there aren't more of these places. The quality and variety of veg on sale here makes it a must - but it would be nice not to have to travel a couple of miles for everyday essentials. I place the blame partially at the feet of the supermarkets - but have to take some of it myself for having supermarket-shopped in the past. I now make an effort to buy local and small as much as possible to encourage more brave souls to start quality businesses. That's not, by the way, to say I don't actually go to Sainsburys at all - but wherever possible if there's a (nice) local alternative I'm now trying to take it.
I guess it's getting me out and walking off those Christmas pounds.
The Creaky Shed is one of The Phantom's Favourite Haunts
Labels: Favourite Haunts, Food and Drink, Shopping
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
15:20
15 Comments:
I love this place. We always try and buy our fruit and veg from here. In fact we hardly shop at a supermarket these days - this is just the sort of shop that needs to be encouraged more.
Very friendly. If any produce looks a little tired, they might have fresher in the back - always worth asking.
Then pop next door to Drings to get something nice to go with your veg. Lovely row of shops. Yum!
Can't agree more with the comments here: the staff are friendly, the produce fresh. And one thing not mentioned: the best window displays are fantastic, and change regularly. Greenwich should encourage and nurture such small shops.
It's just fab, isn't it. And goes to show that if they get it right, small shopkeepers can do really well...
I am the owner of the creaky shed and am a bit peeved about the anonymous posting on the 29th may. unless you know about the fruit and veg industry i suggest you keep your anonymous opionated comments to yourself, not once have you mentioned that twice a week i drive down to deepest kent to bring back fresh local produce supporting local farmers and making sure my customers get the best,youv'e also not mentioned the fact that we start work at 2am 3 times aweek to go and buy all the produce from the market you also havn't mentioned about all the support i give to local schools with donations and raffle prizes and to the local sheltered housing in greenwich. so if you would like a one to one discussion regarding my pricing policy then come and see me.thanks jason
I concur with most of the previous comments in that I love the Creaky Shed. The produce and all the little extras are fabulous and I for one am happy to pay a little more for good qaulity locally sourced produce.
and to "anonymous" who reckons the owner is 'dodgy too', I don't think oyu sohuld be making unsubstantiated libellous comments to try and undermine what is a such a great local business. Are you the manager of one of the local supermarkets by chance?
what a fantastic shop, i buy all my fruit and veg here,and theres lots of relishes,pickles and jams too.i,ve just read the comments from one particular customer, saying the owner is dodgy... well what absolute rubbish, whenever i shop here the staff are cheerful,friendly and helpful,you shouldn,t bad mouth someone just because you don,t want to, or can,t afford to pay the price of good quality produce, i suggest you stick to the other "dodgy" shops that sell cheap and nasty and less tasty stock.
Well, anonymous, I wonder if, since your dodgy fruit n veg days, you're now an employee of one of the monolithic supermarkets that are slowly tightening their tentacles around greenwich?
I go to the Creaky Shed nearly every day, they have a better range than any of the supermarkets, in general they're cheaper, and the one time I bought anything past its best, I mentioned it the next day and got a replacement (try doing that in Somerfields). When the James Wolfe cook book was being planned, Jason and Adrian were a huge amount of help; they were far more generous than any of the big businesses in Greenwich - they're an absolute boon to the area and we should treasure them. I certainly do.
Anon / May 29: I think you're in the minority.
My experience has been totally different. On three occasions, the guys from The Creaky Shed have donated / given The Friends of East Greenwich Pleasaunce fruit for our events.
I wish all local businesses in Greenwich were this "dodgy"!
Kate Powling
I was in The Creaky Shed today and was totally APPALLED by a fellow customer and the foul manner in which she spoke to a member of staff.. she questioned to pricing of something (never a problem with Jason if done politely), but this woman was SO unbelievably rude and obnoxious in her query that I don't know how the member of staff didn't smack her one. Professionalism, pure and simple I guess. So I applaud you Jason and Adrian - not only for the smooth handling I witnessed today but you're running a fantastic business and I know we're lucky to have you. I can only apologise for some of my dispicable neighbours who see fit to be rude.
Oh, and I too LOVE the window displays - they are constant fun and amusement to me and my family. Again, something you don't get when passing Somerfield.
Emma
How very horrid. Just goes to show that it doesn't matter if you live in a nice area if your manners don't match...
Could someone post opening hours? That'd be so handy!
I assume they're usual shop hours, Hungry T. I'll check for you next time I'm there...
I recently returned to Australia after spending 3 months in Greenwich. During this time I fell in love with The Creaky Shed.
The owner (I'm assuming it is still Jason) was friendly, helpful and always up for a chat. I only wish we had Greengrocers like this in Australia!
I shall be back Creaky Shed!
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