Cancer Research goes Vintage

Yesterday, while wandering around Shawlands in the sun, we stopped into the Cancer Research shop on Pollokshaws Road, to buy a couple of birthday cards. It’s one of the best charity shops in the area, it always has a good selection of second hand books, dvd’s and board games…and it has recently devoted a large section of the shop to their vintage and retro collection. The last time I was in the store, they had a few rails of vintage, but now they have a fun and quirky decorated area, to the rear of the shop dedicated to vintage and retro, selling female and male clothing, shoes, bags, jewellery and some retro items such as a telephone, vintage lamps and even some old classic films.

Jewellery and bags are displayed on antique furniture, some funky retro lights create a nicer light and atmosphere. They also have a large selection of vintage shoes…including a great pair of red ones, which unfortunately were not in my size, and a large selection of hats, scarves and bags.

I particularly like their handmade signage on the walls, made from pieces of vintage fabric.
The store sources their items from other Cancer Research Stores in Glasgow. Before Jackie and her collegue came up with the idea, vintage items were just mixed in with the rest of the stock, frequently these would end up being 'ragged'. Turning the store into a specialised vintage shop has increased the revenue dramatically. It means that customers looking for vintage now have a one stop shop, instead of looking through lots of charity shops for that perfect 50's dress, they just head for Pollokshaws Road.

Jackie told us the venture has been a great success, they have had customers travelling across the city and even from Edinburgh to browse the rails. 'They’ve heard about the store through word of mouth or from the 5.30 show which featured the store last month'

It’s a great venture, allowing you to find that perfect unusual dress or jacket and also giving to an important charity at the same time. If that vintage dress is just a little too big or too long you can always nip across the road to raw vintage and get them to alter it.

The Cancer Research shop is open Monday - Saturday
You can call the store on 0141 632 4961