Koka Varde
The gift shop Koka Varde (The Wooden Frog) has recently changed address. Here you can pick up various items made from wood, including functional household items, rustic home decorations and sweet toys for kids.
Apart from timber, there are practical linen items and interesting ceramic pieces. Everything on sale has been chosen by the shop owners Evija and Gundars Andersons, who have over 10 years experience running their own woodwork shop where most of wooden souvenirs are made.
The Old Town is full of touts selling souvenirs of dubious origin from their little wagons. But if you’re looking for a quality product that’s not the usual amber beads or woolen socks, you may be interested in some unusual ceramics available. They’re made using a charring technique to produce so-called black ceramics, created by famous Latgalian ceramic artist Aivars Ušpelis.
The most difficult task is finding the entrance of the shop because there’s no street sign. The shop itself is cozy, prices are low, however service could be more polite.
