Curbside Treasure Troves: Where to Buy Anything, Anytime in Bulgaria (13 Photos)

In Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, curious basement kiosks operate with service windows barely hovering above the pavement. For visitors from the West, buying goods down at shoe level is a novel experience—and even for seasoned travelers, these charming hole-in-the-wall shops are becoming more the exception than the rule.







These photos were taken by Flickr user Sograph, offering audiences a rare glimpse into the Bulgarian capital’s distinctive retail scene. Locally, they are known as

klek

shops, which roughly translates to “squat shops” or “knee shops.”





You can find just about anything here: snacks, cigarettes, newspapers, and all sorts of alcohol. Some even offer shoe repair services or brew fresh coffee to go! Best of all, these pint-sized underground storefronts often stay open around the clock, catering to night owls, late-night revelers, and anyone in need of an off-hours fix.