Abdi Negash Antique Store Piassa — Attraction in Addis Ababa

I usually don’t write reviews, but i must for Abdi Negash and his amazing antique store in Piassa.

Abdi has the kindest heart, filled with an unwavering love for his country, his city, and his people. He’s deeply passionate about preserving Ethiopian history and landmarks, even as the world around him changes. His dedication is truly inspiring. He’s not only a walking encyclopedia of Ethiopian history but also a devoted collector and seller of artifacts, art, vinyl records, cassettes, and the most unique trinkets that seem to hold their own magic.

The moment you step into the shop, you’re met with a warm, excited greeting and a smile that feels like home. Abdi has a gift for making everyone feel welcomed and special. He’s humble, honest, and genuinely cares about helping people, whether it’s finding the perfect treasure or offering advice to make the most of their time in Piassa.

His knowledge expands far beyond Ethiopia. He might even know the history and language of where you come from, making conversations with him a delightful and enriching experience. I’ve been fortunate to see his journey up close—from his dreams as a young man to building this incredible store brick by brick. Every corner of it reflects his love for history and his desire to share Ethiopia’s rich culture with the world.

Whenever I visit Piassa, it’s the first and last place I see! Piassa is already a historic and lively part of the city, but visiting Abdi’s store makes it an unforgettable experience. It’s not just a shop—it’s a space filled with stories, passion, and a remarkable spirit. If you ever find yourself in Piassa, don’t miss the...

The store is an extremely interesting little space with plenty of one of a kind antiques, books, records and artworks for which I think the prices seem relatively fair. We bought a couple of paintings and an old South African record.

However, they are definitely trying to con tourists out of money for some of the Ethiojazz records. They tried to sell me a Hailu Mergia rerelease for $125 when you can buy it directly from the label for $30. It is not rare and is still being pressed. In fact, you can buy a bundle of 4 of his rereleases for $70. I would definitely give anything that looks new or is a rerelease a Google...

Abdi's shop is quite the spot to visit. It features some of the most fascinating Ethiopian antiques; I went there looking for Amha vinyl records and was fascinated by the multitude of catalogs of shekla music, shellacs, books, and other antique items in his shop. Abdi's joyful and enthusiastic characteristic coupled with his knowledge and insight into his inventory is fascinating to witness. He can easily discuss and give background on practically every vinyl, book, historical picture, etc. I encourage everyone interested in Ethiopian history or who has an interest in antiques to visit his shop, it's a...