Orient Basar

The end of an era. I walked into this shop on the second last day of business. Mehmet was extremely friendly, helpful, and very much NOT pushy. He felt honest, trustworthy, and nothing like the stereotypical sleazy used car (rug) salesman. Mehmet was upstanding, genuine, a true lover of art. For him, each rug told a story. He was a Guardian of Culture. I may very well have been his last customer before closing the doors to Orient Bazar and retiring to a leisurely life in a small town. It was an honour. My only regret is that I was not able to buy more from this man before he closed his doors Read the article written about this man in 2000 in the New Yorker titled “the rug missionary”

Went in the store with a friend looking for an authentic Turkish carpet. We asked Mr Mehmet Sağgün for advice and he was kind, very knowledgeable and honest about the quality and origin of the various kinds of carpets. Once my friend found the beautiful carpet she bought, he invited us to sit and talk with him, an experience the four of us thoroughly enjoyed and which marked our trip. Definitely recommend visiting his store and asking him any questions you might have!

5 yıldız. Otantik.