Wee Carnaby Centre

The Wee Carnaby centre has become a Belfast institution, mainly because of the owner who really doesn’t like anyone coming in for a browse. OK, he has to be on the look out for shoplifters, but that doesn’t necessitate his wife actually standing on a chair in the middle of the shop to stare at people when they’re browsing through the T shirts, as happened to me a couple of years back. I got that kind of stuff when I was a scruffy teenager living in a backwards town — I don’t expect it as a thirtysomething adult. (He was very friendly though when I came in with my mum years ago, so maybe he’s just automatically suspicious of anyone under 50.)
The last time I was here was only a few weeks ago, when I was having lunch at the nearby Morning Star and decided to nip in and buy a bandanna. (I’m just so Godammned Cool, man. Actually I was having a bad hair day.) Aware of the owner’s suspicion bordering on paranoia about anyone who comes within six feet of the entrance, I was very polite, smiled away at him like a lunatic, and even dropped my bag on the floor by the counter so he could see nothing was going to disappear into it. No go.
I don’t like to be too mean about the guy because he’s obviously paranoid for a reason, but it’s quite offputting to go in and clearly be thought of as suspicious. Not a good way to do business really.
This shop has some bits and pieces a lot of people will want to pick up at some point, so I’d not exactly recommend not visiting it. Just be prepared to be scowled at when you do.

The Wee Carnaby Centre is a unit in the In Shops which sells a range of rocky/​gothy/​western style clothing. A good range of band t-​shirts is on offer here. There’s also a range of incense and tobacco products /​smoking paraphernalia. You can buy some interesting figurines/​decorations/​ornaments here if you’re in to that fantasy style look. The shop owner is notoriously unfriendly, I’m not sure why this is, but I know for certain that school kids aren’t allowed in uniform so its maybe got something to do with stealing in the past. It seems to me that most of the time he doesn’t even like you buying anything from the shop. It seems that way anyway but maybe it’s just my perception. His wife owns the card shop next door so if you don’t see him about then he’ll most likely be in here. Worth a look in if you’re after any smoking regalia or fantasy items.