In Hoxton, there’s a shop. No big deal you might think. But this is a shop that caters for the everyday needs of monsters, and monsters can be pretty demanding. You might know other shops, but not one like this: a place where monsters can find the most mundane of their needs. Tinned Fear if they’re running low on the stuff; Thickest Human Snot and Olde Fashioned Brain Jam if they’re hungry.
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p id=”yui_3_10_1_1_1392454378922_184067″>I read about the Hoxton Street Monster Supplies shop on Neatorama this week, and then had the chance to visit it today when out and about north London visiting friends (I bought ‘A Vague Sense of Unease’ and some ‘Zombie Fresh Mints’, pictured). It’s a spot to help encourage writing for young people, with workshop space in the back and a shop front where you can buy ‘Tinned Fear’, that also comes with a short story to kick-start inspiration.
After posting about it over on MetaFilter, it turns out that this isn’t so uncommon in the US with the 826 Project, a network of nine nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping students, ages 6-18, with expository and creative writing. (Update – turns out it was directly inspired by the 826 Project and went ahead with its blessing).
The 826 is responsible for:
- The Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company
- Greenwood Space Travel Supply Company
- Pirate Store
- The Boring Store (Undercover Secret Agent Supply Store)
- The Museum of (Un)natural History
- Bigfoot Research Institute
More information can be found at the Ministry of Stories, where volunteers are always welcome. More pics.