New 2 U

Regular readers will have noticed that I like old shops, especially ones that are full of stuff. I'm not sure exactly why this is the case - maybe subconsciously I think there is more chance I'll find a gem of a bargain hidden away somewhere.

You will also probably have noticed that most of my favourite places listed so far have been quite organic spaces, with wonky table legs and hand crafted signs. I think this is a reaction to the mass produced world we live in where everything ends up being super clean, super simple and super similar.

So continuing to seek out odd, old shops in the Southside I took a walk yesterday along Cathcart Road and entered the exciting world of "New 2U" a great little second hand furniture store.

A sign on the door says to pop in and have a look round but that's easier said than done. When I stuck my head in yesterday the owners were in the middle of moving some furniture around and this had resulted in reducing the shop floor space to a 2m square. I edge in and was met by the very cheerful and chatty Joe who asked me what I was looking for.

I looked around the space which is rammed with everything from tables and chairs, to giant pink marble wardrobes to fridges, freezers, books, odd ceramic dolls, VHS players and an ancient looking computer. I admitted I was really just there for a look round and Joe told me to help myself while he and Frank and Andy set about building some shelves.

The shop consists of four rooms, the main space as you enter the shop, a smaller space to the right, which I couldn't get into full of freezers, a space to the left, which I couldn't get into because of the shelve building, full of TV and chairs and a space to the rear full of old furniture, rugs and ornaments. After a good while marvelling at all the odd and ends and wondering how on earth they A) remember where everything is and B) ever actually get at any of it, I decided to have a chat to Joe.

The shop has been in existence for about 19 years, starting off at one end of Allison street before moving to the other and then finally, three years ago, moving to their present location. In that time the whole industry has changed with lots of their rival stores going out of business. At one point there were four or five secondhand furniture stores in the area but the rise of superstores and cheap furniture from the likes of Ikea has changed peoples perceptions. While in the past, its was taken for granted that furniture was handed down within the family, now everyone wants things brand new.

You only have to look at the streets of the Southside on a Wednesday morning to see that is true, with piles of old drawers, desks and wardrobes lying waiting for the bulk pick up.

Joe seemed in good sprits about it all and also suggested that there might now be a bit of a resurgance in the market, due to the quality that solid second hand furniture can provide. Despite it normally being slightly more expenseive than its Ikea equivilant, you probably won't have to go out and buy a new one every two years. "A pounds a pound at the moment for a lot of people" Joe points out and everyone is taking more care about where they spend it and making sure they get value for money. Maybe we will see a return to more crafted goods?

A lot of the shops stock comes from buying the individual items that people bring into the shop but "New 2 U" also provide a removal and house clearance service, they are called Allison removals and can be contacted on 0141 423 9827.

Despite having a good rummage I didn't really find anything that was my style but I guess that's just the luck of when you are in. As Joe pointed out the store is nearly completely changed every 6 weeks. They must be knackered moving all that furniture day in day out but I guess after 19 years they 've probably learned a good few tricks.

The only thing I spotted that I really fancied was this nicely illustrated Disney book to accompany the It's a Small World theme ride. The story inside was from the old school of children's books telling the tale of a young orphan that no one really liked too much and who was sad because he didn't even know his own name. The story had a happy ending of course when after travelling through the small world ride and seeing all the other nations, Bobby (as he became known) decided it didn't matter that he was an orphan because it really was a small (and rather stereotypical - we were playing bagpipes) world after all.