If you’re a tourist looking for handicraft shop near me in Kolkata, you will want a one-stop destination that sells everything.
Today, I will share the location of a hidden gem around the busiest shopping places in Kolkata, New Market. But it goes unnoticed because it is in a parallel lane to Hogg’s Market.
I was introduced to Sunshine Stores by my fellow mates in my theatre class around 5-6 years ago. Since then, this place has been my go-to place to buy baggy pants that keep me comfortable during the hot summer months.
Summer is about to set in as there are practically no spring vibes in Kolkata due to global warming. I decided to visit Sunshine Stores to get a few skirts to let me breathe!
I visited this place after COVID, and everything seemed to have changed:
- the shop on the left, just as you enter, has been turned into a space to exchange money
- there was a new shop that was bigger, brighter, and more vibrant
- and then there was the same old quaint shop with rustic vibes – just the way I like it
Best handicraft shop near me in Kolkata
Not going by their Instagram bio, but by my personal experience, Sunshine Stores is one of the best handicraft shops in Kolkata.
Two brothers, Akash Shaw and Sanjay Shaw, run this shop. They sell everything you would expect from an accessory and handicraft store.
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Here is a list of things to buy from this famous handicraft of Kolkata when visiting:
Hippie clothes
The foremost reason I went to this shop was the baggy Alibaba pants I had seen my friends wear. I was intrigued because it helped them do theatre workshops more easily. These pants were colourful and had patchwork all over them. You will find uniquely printed kurtis, pants, skirts, dresses, tops, and more.
Do you know you cannot expose your thighs and legs in temples in Bali? Before going to Bali in 2019, I had bought sarongs and stoles from this place. These were useful when visiting places where I needed help entering short jumpsuits.
Hemp bags
Why look for shopping places in Manali and Kasol when you can buy hemp bags in Kolkata? Yep! This is the first I was aware of this, but this place does have a collection of tiny backpacks that are widely available in Himachal.
Kama Sutra cards
I recently saw an Instagram reel that suggested handicraft shops in Jaisalmer had Kama Sutra cards. These cards are similar to a regular 52-pack that lets you play Rummy, Fish, and all other games. Moreover, you can also educate yourself about the sculptures of Khajuraho.
Yes! The cards have photos of erotic sexual positions in each of them. It is definitely a fun thing to buy for the newly married. If you are on a honeymoon in Kolkata, this is a product to carry with you.
I got a pack of Rajasthan cards for myself. It has different places imprinted on all of them. They represent different places of Rajasthan, their culture, Kings, and much more.
Souvenirs
Unlike most other handicraft shop near me, this one has lots of magnets to take back home. From souvenirs related to Delhi to Kolkata, there are lots of fridge magnets that you’d get here. You will also get Kolkata auto miniatures, symbols of the city as showpieces, to take back home.
Shoes
This is a new addition, but I even found them selling shoes. These looked ethnic and leather-based to me. But they could have a better variety in this particular product category.
Accessories
The accessory collection blows my mind every time I visit because these are the products I want to buy in bulk! Silver and oxidized items pull me towards them, and I navigate myself. Even if it is a small press-on nose ring, I still like to purchase them.
From bangles to earrings, chains to finger rings, there are plenty of accessory options here to buy. Just make sure you differentiate between silver and oxidized ones. However, they will guide you in the right way.
Handicraft items
There are a lot of home décor items you can buy from here, especially if your choices are rustic and antique. It exhibits the art of Kolkata and beyond by including statues of Gods and Goddesses, good luck charms, and regular pieces that amplify your home or office environment.
Other things at the Kolkata handicraft market
Imagine finding handicraft shops near me that sell products like what you get in Little Goa. Yep! You guessed it right. From shisha bases and pipes to all things that go green. You get this kinda stuff here too.
You also get special tea packets from different parts like Assam and Darjeeling sold here. Finally, you also get diaries, pictures of deities, and much more.
These are why you should include this particular shop on your list when looking for handicraft shops in Kolkata.
Exchange currency at a handicraft shop near me
When I came here before visiting Indonesia, this shop helped me exchange my currency.
One of the reasons why foreigners love to come to Sunshine Stores is to get the right currency for the right price. They don’t just come here to buy products for their nomadic life. But they also exchange foreign currencies.
While going to Bali, we exchanged dollars, our Indian currency, for dollars from this shop. After reaching Bali, we exchanged dollars for Indonesian currency.
Sudder Street Kolkata is the hub where you’d find a string of shops to exchange your currency. So, even if you want to avoid exchanging cash from Sunshine Stores, you have more options.
How to navigate to this handicraft shop near me?
7, Sudder Street is the exact address of Sunshine Stores. If you are unsure how to locate it, you can access Raj’s Spanish Café and come over.
The store is right beside this exotic cuisine-based restaurant that welcomes locals and foreigners alike.
If you’re already shopping around the New Market area, this location parallels Hogg’s Market. No, you are not to move towards Shree Ram Arcade, but the road towards Park Street.
Simply walk by the Pav Bhaji stalls and clothes shops, and navigate your way with the help of Google Maps.
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