You’ve maybe passed it hundreds of times...
perhaps trying to peek through the grimy window at the mysterious world hidden behind the rusted doors. With a name like Aladdin’s Cave, the store is bound to pique the curiosity of passersby. But for many years, its secrets have remained buried – much like the mythical “cave of wonders” in the desert of Agrabah.
Until now, that is. The doors were recently creaked open for the first time since they closed more than 15 years ago when the unit went on the market for the humble price of £25,000. I recently satisfied my own curiosity about this unlikely Aberdeen institution, joining two potential takers as they pondered its possibilities.
Each had their own ideas for the vacant spot. But the one thing even more intriguing than the store’s future was its past..
. The story of Aladdin’s Cave is ‘as old as time’ Much like its Middle Eastern counterpart, Aladdin’s Cave’s past is shrouded in secrecy. There’s barely any information online about the Skene Street shop, and this sense of mystery seems to have granted it cult status among some.
Fortunately for us, owner Frank Garden – who took up the store more than 40 years ago – was happy to shed some light on its history. One of Aberdeen’s smallest shops, it is squeezed between a pair of tenement buildings – a decision that baffles even Mr Garden. Chuckling down the phone, Frank recalls the times years and years ago when the road outside was not even there.
When .
