As indicated by its name, don’t expect to find vodka or other Polish clichés at No Wódka, a concept store in Prenzlauer Berg. Instead, be prepared for a slightly different image of Poland, corresponding to the aesthetic preferences of Aleksandra Kozlowska, who opened the shop in 2014. From furniture, home accessories, through clothes to jewellery – all sorts of high quality products that reflect current trends in Polish design are selected by the owner. The whole assortment is made in Poland: pieces by smaller and bigger brands, but no mass-produced articles. For the store’s look and feel, Kozlowska teamed up with Studio Kontent in Warsaw. Handpicked items are showcased within the minimalist store interior, dominated by white and neutral shades, mixed with scaffolding beams. The space can be easily transformed and rearranged for various purposes such as occasional art exhibitions, workshops and other events. This very consistent strive to charm away stereotypes about Poland makes No Wódka something more than just a shop. It’s somewhat a cultural institution and therefore my personal favorite when it comes to Polish spots in Berlin. (Text: Justyna Burzynski / Photos: Baba Wie, No Wódka)
No Wódka, Pappelallee 10, 10437 Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg; map
Mon-Wed 12-19h, Thu-Sat 11-19h
Justyna Burzynski runs Berlinsko, a blog dedicated to Berlin’s Polish community, spends most of her free time at bouldering gyms, likes exploring Berlin and writing about it. She’s lived in Neukölln since 2012.
