Holland Park's favourite greengrocer
Chris Michanicou (above with Sidney Smith) and his brother Andy opened their eponymous store 39 years ago. Their uncle used to shop here and knew they were looking for a shop. “When the lease become available he said come and have a look,” says Chris. “We thought we would be here about six months.”
At that time their father had a shop in Holloway, and they had been looking in Spitalfields. “After we had been here three or four years the freehold became available [which the brother’s happily bought}. I used to live above the shop, but not any more,” says Chris.
Micanicou is one of Holland Park’s favourite shops and has a staff of up to eight serving customers from its tiny inside, which is stacked with produce. Chris and his brother get up at 3am to replenish the shop with fresh fruit and vegetables.
What locals most often comment on is the large variety for sale, wild garlic leaves to endives. Open from 9am to 6.30pm, it was voted best greengrocer by The Independent newspaper. Customer Ruby Twilite commented: ‘Michanicou Bros sells beautiful high end fruit, like what food stylists would purchase. They are in a high end neighborhood and have high end clients. I lived nearby 30 yrs ago and they looked exactly the same. They are a neighborhood treasure! And no, none of the reviews are fake, its just that they really are that good.’
Michanicou Brothers, fine vegetables Photo: Mary-Lu Bakker
