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The other day, a friend of mine suggested that I go and check out a new secondhand clothing shop on 4th and Alma in Vancouver. She was initially drawn into the store because of the window display and was subsequently rewarded with several racks filled with wonderful vintage clothing. Of course I had to go and check this out for myself and was pleasantly surprised to see that this tiny corner of Vancouver was suddenly filled with not just one new shop, but several. There are now seven secondhand clothing and accessory shops, some selling vintage and/or contemporary wear for men and women, a few selling children's clothing, and one specialty women's shop selling plus sizes. In the area there are also two stores that do upholstery, and one wonderfully eclectic shop selling every type of vintage hardware you can think of (it is also for sale if anyone is in the market). If you are need of alterations, 4-Star Laundry is close by. This is definitely one part of town worth rediscovering. Only minutes from Jericho Beach, you can grab a great cup of coffee in one of the local coffee shops and head down to the beach after your shopping spree. If you would rather stop and rest your feet for a while, you can enjoy a nice meal in one of the many restaurants nearby.
One of the newest additions to this neighbourhood is Pin Up Vintage Sales (formerly E.X.Sales), specializing in vintage and contemporary clothing for both men and women. They also offer a wonderful selection of shoes, accessories, and some collectibles. Unlike most secondhand clothing stores, Pin Up Vintage Sales does not acquire their clothing on consignment. Clothes and accessories are purchased up front with cash and/or through store credit. The store is located near the corner of 4th and Alma, on the north side of 4th Avenue. Parking is plenty and is still free (no parking meters in site). You cannot miss the store as it has one of the most striking window displays in the area. In fact, the displays have been largely responsible for most of the drop-in traffic. The owner, Louise Alston along with her daughter Suzanne, take great pride in creating the displays. "We enjoy doing the displays and try to have them reflect what is going on and it also helps to promote what we have in the store." Their recent Christmas display attracted a great deal of attention. They had mannequins dressed in vintage clothing putting up the tree and the man was completely wrapped in Christmas lights. The displays usually stay up for 2-3 weeks. Interestingly, while I was conducting the interview an older fellow was outside filming the display. We never did find out why. On The clientele to date has varied from local high school students coming in for "disco wear", hip university students on a fixed budget, to professionals and seniors looking for some great buys. The store has even been scouted as a film location in a few local productions. Louise loves the diversity and enjoys chatting with everyone who comes through the doors. It is important for her to get to know her clientele and their particular needs. She even keeps a little notebook where she tracks different requests that might come up. This way she and her daughter can keep their eyes open for specific items. This store represents a lifelong passion for clothes and secondhand shopping. Louise Alston, who until recently was a banker, has dreamed of owning her own store for as long as she can remember. She smiles as she tells me about when even as a single mom with three children she would revel in her secondhand shopping sprees, always thinking about how she would set up her own store.
I have no doubt that Louise will realize all her dreams. Her passion and commitment for what she believes come across boldly. But it is not just about money and success. She is also a strong believer in community. Not only does she help out with those less fortunate in the area by providing odd jobs, she is also a board of director with the B.C. Crime Prevention Association. If you happen to be in the neighbourhood, drop in to say hello to Louise. I am sure that both of you will be glad you did.
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happy3 happy kids Blue Room Basis Wear Consignment Co. Ltd. Fourteen Plus Consignment Clothing Tony's Antique hardware and light fixtures, and much more |
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you are done admiring the display and decide to head into the store,
you quickly realize that this is no ordinary secondhand shop. A great
deal of care has gone into creating a warm and welcoming environment.
Louise, who recently completed her first level of Feng Shui Training,
wanted her store to reflect the basic principles of balance, harmony,
and prosperity. Everything from the glass wall to the subtle wall paintings
is strategically placed to ensure that people enjoy the shopping experience.
Louise also expects to have a cappuccino machine in the near future
and some comfortable chairs to further enhance your visit.
Now
with her children all grown, she has reached her dream and her children
continue to be part of the process. Her oldest, Suzanne works with her
behind the scenes picking and buying vintage wear and one of her sons
is helping her to develop a state of the art inventory management system.
Her daughter's artwork is also proudly displayed in the store. The dream
does not stop here; she intends to eventually have 10 of these stores
across B.C. 