Scrivens

About this location

A few stories people tell about this place

1. At dawn, when Scrivens’ doors were usually locked tight, a delivery driver noticed an old man whispering to himself in front of the shop. Curious, he approached and heard the old man muttering about ‘the perfect lens for my new spectacles’. Turns out, the man was just testing his memory before buying a pair later that day. The delivery driver smiled, thinking perhaps Scrivens had its own way of welcoming customers early morning.

2. At midnight, when Scrivens was dark and quiet, a delivery driver heard a strange clicking sound coming from inside the shop. Curious but cautious, he peered through the window and saw an old pair of spectacles seemingly adjusting itself on the display shelf. The delivery driver approached slowly, thinking it might be some sort of prank. As he got closer, the glasses seemed to wink at him—a tiny LED light had been hidden inside! Turns out, an eccentric neighbor had installed them as a joke, leaving everyone in the neighborhood laughing for weeks.

3. At sunset, when Scrivens’ windows glowed softly in the twilight, a delivery driver observed something peculiar. The shopkeeper’s cat, usually aloof and unseen, would suddenly appear from behind the counter, meowing insistently until the door opened just a crack. Finally curious, the delivery driver pretended to leave but returned later that night. He saw the cat again, now balancing on the counter with a tiny pair of glasses dangling from its paw. ‘Scriven’s must be open after hours!’ he thought, only to hear a sleepy voice say, “No, I’m just helping Mr. Jenkins choose his new spectacles.”

4. At dusk, when Scrivens’ blinds were drawn against the fading light, a delivery driver overheard an old man muttering, ‘Finally, someone who understands my prescription for life.’ The delivery driver smiled, thinking maybe everyone needed a little help adjusting their glasses—literally and metaphorically. As he left, he heard another voice from inside: 'And don’t forget your reading glass of life!' Turning around, he saw only an empty chair and a half-finished cup of tea.