Forget Me Not was a gamble no one thought would pay off. Owner and souvenir curator extraordinaire, Philippos Khoury had the exact opposite trajectory most people would have expected. In fact, some would go so far as to call him a rebel. It all started a few years ago, when the Greek credit crunch send a lot of native creatives running for cover to the four corners of the Earth. But Khoury was a man with a plan. Taking a well-paying job abroad, he returned triumphant a few years later, ready to throw all his money away. Or at least that’s what his friends and family thought, when he told them he wanted to open an unconventional souvenir shop in the heart of Athens’ tourist district. Yet, to everyone’s surprise, Forget Me Not became a raging success in virtually no time, finding its way into The New York Times and The Guardian’s recommendations.

Photo © George Kroustallis.

Photo © George Kroustallis.

But first, it’s best to set the record straight. Forget Me Not doesn’t actually sell souvenirs. In fact, it doesn’t really have a very specific profile at all, other than sourcing elegant, locally designed items of the highest quality you’d be proud to bring home. From stunningly packaged olive oil, to handmade sunglasses and small-batch pottery, Forget Me Not is a rainbow of contradictions, full of bright colors and a positive outlook that’s so tastefully displayed, some people have considered buying the sign before they’ve even walked through the door!

Photo © Costas Voyatzis.

Photo © Costas Voyatzis.

Photo by George Kroustallis.

Photo by George Kroustallis.

Photo © Costas Voyatzis.

Photo © Costas Voyatzis.

Photo © George Kroustallis.

Photo © George Kroustallis.