I really dont see the draw to Ermou Street. It is a busy street that is hard to cross because of constant traffic and there are a bunch of high end stores that dont give you any of the Greek cultural experience....and even if high end shopping is your thing, the other side of this street is filled with sketchy looking people on the corners and sitting outside the shops. There was garbage on the ground and it just seemed dirty to us. It blends into Monastiraki, so maybe that is why it seems so run down? Go farther past this street to the Plaka area and do your shopping there where its nicer. Or walk farther north to the Psirri area and check out the restaurants and cafes there.