Win £50 to spend at Bobby & Dandy!
O2 recently revealed that 19% of Brighton customers visit independent shops at least once a week, and to help that number grow across the country has launched Priority Moments for Independent Businesses.
The free service will allow retailers to create offers that consumers can access through a location based mobile application and to promote the scheme, the mobile provider asked us to champion one of our favourite local shops.
We chose Hove vintage boutique Bobby & Dandy, which opened in March, and here speak to co-owner Donna Grimaldi. We’re also offering you the chance to win a £50 voucher to spend in the store – just tell us what you value most about independent retailers in the comments section.
What did yourself and co-owner Simon Bridger do before setting up Bobby & Dandy? I’ve worked as head of costume and a showgirl dancer at a circus, pattern cutter and dressmaker, as well as working in several Brighton vintage clothing boutiques. Following this, I set up Bobby Sox in 2008 selling vintage online, as well as at fairs, and this naturally led onto a having shop. Since 2008, Simon has been the co- owner of Immediate, a men’s clothing shop in the North Laine.
Why did you want to set up your own shop? It’s a dream I’ve had since I was a little girl. I’ve always been passionate about dressing up creatively. Self- employment suits my independent nature and I love being surrounded by beautiful clothes.
Why did you want to have a bricks and mortar shop as well as selling online? Although online commerce is growing, it is just so much more satisfying for me working with the public, giving a more personal service. I also enjoy the visual merchandising aspect.
How much time passed between the idea and the reality? It all happened very fast. A shop vacancy appeared via a friend – we just had to seize the opportunity and within two weeks our doors were open!
Why did you choose this location? As Brighton becomes ever more popular, there is a natural influx towards Hove. Blatchington Road and its surrounding area is becoming much more appealing with many independent shops springing up. And we’re just down the road from a few interesting stores, such as Department Flea Market, H’s Barbers, a tattooists and the lovely Ethel’s Kitchen.
Is there a good sense of community in Hove retail? Yes, we really love the sense of community on our street and always like to support each other. For example, we often collaborate with the Department Flea Market for events and advertising too.
Do you have many regular customers? Yes – people often are searching for a particular item so we are always happy to take their number and give them a call if we find it in the future. This is one of lovely aspects of having a bricks and mortar shop.
How many days do you work in the shop? Having a business partner is great for dividing the working hours in half. We both do a lot of work outside of these hours too, as does anyone running their own business.
How much time do you spend sourcing clothes? It’s kind of a way of life for me; I’m always on the lookout! As well as the usual places to hunt for pieces, we have many sources who come to us with garments, as well customers who bring items to the shop.
How have you spread the word about the shop to attract customers? We’ve printed lots of double- sided flyers with Department Flea Market. I always have some in my bag so I can promote the shop wherever I go. We also use Facebook and Twitter to publicise and have been featured in many magazines such as The Chap, Vintage Explorer and on blogs such as Vintage Brighton!
Are you happy with the way the business has been going thus far? We are happy to be in profit after seven months of trading and feel we are quickly building up a good reputation for service and our hand- picked selection of clothing.
What’s the most difficult part of running your own shop? Small independent business, especially in niche sectors, can mean that sales can widely differ from one month to the next so we have to concentrate on focusing on the bigger picture.
What are you plans for the shop in the future? As well as working on promoting and developing the shop, I’m currently learning to drive so that we can take part in more vintage fairs.
For your chance to win a £50 voucher to spend in the store, just leave a comment telling us what you value most about independent retailers before Friday 23 November. We’ll contact the winner – who will be picked at random – during the week commencing 26 November.
This is a promotional post.
THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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I would much prefer to support individual businesses, they have better service, quirkiness and unique products, long may they continue in Brighton and Hove!!!
Much better service, and you can build more of a relationship. Also much more flexible and often open to a bit of haggling!
I value their individuality and the personal experience you get with the retailer. As someone who is (irrationally) concerned with wearing things other people wont be, an independent retailer gives you that edge. I also find the retailers are generally more helpful, they have a good eye for fashion and what will make a look work, and, they enjoy it! It makes all the difference.
I love the unique finds in independent retailers. With instance to Bobby and Dandy you can build up a rapport and get them to give you a heads up when you’re looking for something. This is a great feature you just can’t get with big clothing companies.
With independents you’re getting a more original and unique range of merchandise. I’m particularly fond of vintage shops as they’re not only stylish but good for the environment, too as items are recycled/second hand… and to top that there’s the thrill of a good find.
It is not only creative and fashionable but also so ecology friendly. I found Toronto vintage shops Toronto vintage shops with its rich offer of vintage pieces so helpful in keeping my lifestyle both ecology friendly and fashionable too.
With independent shops you get more interesting items rather than the bland stuff you get on the high street.
I love the fact that I am supporting somebody’s life and ambition rather than lining the pockets of a fat cat. Independant shops offer unique fashion and brands and I always get complimented on items that I have bought from an independant shop. More importantly, I know that the clothes have been made ethically and not by some poor exploited workers.
The thing I love about independent retailers is the passion behind the stores. They love what they sell or they wouldn’t be doing it and it really shows in the quality and selection in the shops.
I love independent retailers in Brighton and Hove. The personal touch is great and the more you shop in the boutiques the more you understand the personality of the store and indeed the owners – which can be very colourful!
I love the community spirit foud in independent stores, the passion for their trade and expertise and knowledge they have. The wide variety of clothing is great and its ethical trading and great customer service.
I always support local shops when I can.
I have recently moved to the area and was over joyed with the amount of independent shops in Brighton and Hove.
My first trip to Bobby and Dandy I fell in love with a 60s tartan mohair cape coat. I had to have it but being a week before payday I couldn’t even stretch to a steal at £40. To my amazement they let me put a very small deposit down and pay the rest when i could.
This level of service, helpfulness and unique range of goods is a far cry from mainstream chains. Also i don’t have to feel guilty about what unethical tax dodging monster i could possibly be supporting by avoiding those giants and instead shopping with some standards.
Interpendant retail is exciting and limitless. I admire people who go out there and start a business doing what they love. I aspire to do this one day, so i am more than happy to support the great work people are doing now! I love individual finds, vintage and quirky items, its a passion and shops like Bobby and Dandy make me very very happy indeed!
The fact that not every other person is wearing the same thing!
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