"This is a dream come true" is how Arabella Stagg, wife of the outgoing British Ambassador, described the new charity shop that was opened by Britain's Prince Andrew during his visit to Bulgaria last week.

The shop, named "Traditsiya" (Tradition) is the fruit of Stagg's determination to leave a legacy of her charity work in Bulgaria, which will help and encourage social institutions around the country to become self-sustaining.

The new shop has found its home in the consular section of the former British Embassy on Vassil Levski Blvd., adjacent to the ambassador's residence. The embassy's recent move to Moskovska St. provided the ideal opportunity for the visa section to play a new role in the life of the city, as Bulgaria's first ever charity shop and the first to be staffed by volunteers.

Stagg stated that the idea for the charity shop came from the success of last year's Christmas Bazaar at which gifts produced by orphanages and homes for the disabled sold well. Her desire was for them to learn how to produce pretty, sellable gifts whose revenue could then be used for the upkeep of the homes. The gifts now on sale in the shop include silk scarves and paintings, pictures from shells, ceramics and jewelry boxes.

The shop has added to its repertoire by getting together with Hanna Ruszczyk, who runs a UNDP project which, among other things, provides aid to artisans by helping them find outlets for their work. This adds to the goods on offer without straying from the main purpose of the shop. Artisans from around the country are supplying Traditsiya with traditional kilims (carpets) and picnic rugs, gold painted wooden mirror frames, ceramic dishes, bio honey and wooden boxes with Bulgarian herbal teas.

The shop is a delight to behold. The U.S.-based designer that was brought in to make the most of the space available went for the "ethnic chic" style, which in this case means purple and gold walls, an exposed-beam silver ceiling, an antique wooden floor and soft spot lighting. Totally original elements of the interior include the display tables made from the bullet-proof glass taken out of the former visa section's windows, the gas concrete blocks used as table stands, and waste wood recycled for shelving.

Paromita Sanatani, Traditsiya's manager, said that the prime attraction for shoppers is that it stocks goods that cannot be found anywhere else in Bulgaria. And we all know that feeling of desperation when faced with the task of taking back a present to friends or family at home, or even for a special occasion here, one ends up buying a cased bottle of rakia.

Traditsiya can solve that problem, offering something for every taste and pocket, from the cheapest Bulgarian linen tea towel made by unemployed women in rural areas at 3.50 leva to the more expensive unique gold gilt mirror frames at 200 leva. The tiny metal jewelry boxes featuring Thracian motifs at 20 leva look to be one of the potential quick-sellers.

All proceeds from the gifts sold go back to the social centres that made them, and profits from all sales are ploughed back into a grant system which will give funds for charitable causes, allocated by a board of trustees.

Traditsiya can be found at 38 Vassil Levski. Blvd. (Tel: 981 7765), and is open Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm, Thursdays untill 7pm. Private visits out of normal working hours can also be arranged.