Add Character

What’s wrong with cute? I love this store’s fusion of Japanese toys with Western gifts. There are a ton of attractive little gifts in here, like china cups with inbuilt tea strainers, hair-​pins with Scrabble tiles on them, little soft purses with numerous zips and cleverly hidden pockets, as well as some very cute stuffed toys.
I didn’t feel it was under-​stocked, like Milena said. I think there’s just enough stuff for you to be able to appreciate all that’s there, without being overwhelmed by having too much to see. I appreciate all their alternative gift ideas, and think it’s a great place to find something special.

Cute is definitely the right adjective here.
Add Character, despite having a kinda sucky name, is a cute little addition to the Semaphore Road scene with gift ware and trinkets of the homemade and asian-​influenced variety.
Sure, as Milena says, we’ve seen this kind of product before on Etsy, and places like Ikeguchi — but I think it’s unique addition to the area and a lot of people still love a good old-​fashioned browse in real life.
As well as adorable and affordable tea sets, kitschy accessories and the occasional bit of personal adornment, there’s a huge focus on kid’s stuff — I particularly liked the bright Japanese-​influenced wooden toys. They’re also kid friendly: my 2 year old niece had a ball playing with the bits and pieces, and the staff are always friendly and welcoming.
Apparently the owner also hand makes the origami and visual merchandising that adorns the walls which adds a lovely homespun touch.

I can’t help but notice the shop is under stocked, too much empty space on the walls and trying too hard to be cutesy, colourful but no substance. It looks a little like the sort of stuff ETSY sells online and may well contain some items, the overall influence is Chinese/​Japanese and can’t be missed. Who really buys this stuff, what do they do with it? But just because I don’t doesn’t mean others won’t, again each to their own.
Prices are not cheap and despite the shop having just over 200 followers on Facebook doesn’t qualify them of success. The owner is friendly enough and good on them for following their dream of owning a shop, but for this sort of stuff online is the way to sell — as they’re going to be hard pressed to make a living out of it currently.