Happy 'Blog Post Monday' to you all!
How has your first post-lockdown antiques forage gone this week? Mine has been great and very, very interesting. And I say "Interesting", because I have noticed something on my travels, something very positive!
Now, those of you who have followed me from the very beginning, will remember that I wrote a blog post back in July 2020, highlighting the impact that I thought the pandemic would have on the antiques and collectibles trade. In that post I also predicted an increase in the popularity of antiques and vintage items, and went as far as to say that an antiques "Boom" was on the horizon! Well, on my travels this week, I noticed some signs that my prediction may just be starting to happen.
So, as always, get that kettle on, sit back and let me fill you in on what I've seen, and what I think this might mean for the antiques trade.
As I said, back in July 2020, I wrote a blog post titled, "Covid-19 & Its Effect On The Antiques Trade". In this post I explained that we were witnessing a change in shopping habits, with people becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their actions. That people were starting to favour old and used, over new, and that this would continue to gather pace. I stuck my neck out and stated there was an antiques boom coming very soon.
Roll on nine months and I have started seeing some very interesting signs. This past week I have been out and about treasure hunting again for the first time post-lockdown. It has felt amazing to be back out there, visiting some of my favourite shops and fairs. On my travels, however, I have noticed a few new antique shops have popped up or are in the process of popping up. In York alone I've spotted three new antique shops.
Image: Devil's Elbow Antiques - https://www.instagram.com/p/CMUp3hnAvYM/
First, I noticed 'Devil's Elbow Antiques', situated on Little Stonegate, York. A beautiful looking shop in a wonderful area of York. They sell everything from textiles, vintage interiors, homewares and books, and have some really interesting, quirky pieces! Following their Instagram page, they posted a lovely explanation of how they came about naming their shop 'Devil's Elbow' (you can see the post here).
Image: courtesy of Devil's Elbow Antiques - https://www.instagram.com/p/CNfak8nAs8G/
They wrote that "In the 16th Century, the Stonegate area was well known for its book shops and printers. The devil is a reference to the printer's apprentice who was responsible for handling hot metal type. In printing folklore, a type of demon haunted every print-shop, conducting mischief and causing misspellings etc. Over time, the blame for these mischievous printing errors fell to the printers apprentice, who retained the nickname 'printer's devil'."
Image: Devil's Elbow Antiques - https://www.instagram.com/p/CLmYUbLAcMu/
I should add that they are in the process of repainting their shop front red, so don't let the colour in the photos confuse you! I can't wait to have a proper look around this beautiful shop and I wish the 'Devil's Elbow' team every success.
Devil's Elbow Antiques
16 Little Stonegate, York, YO1 8AX
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Image: The Verdigris House - https://www.instagram.com/p/CNsnSiXnjnF/
Then I noticed 'The Verdigris House', situated just off Bishopthorpe Road (or Bishy Road if you're a local). Again, another beautiful looking shop in another great area of York, full of lots of small independent shops, cafes and restaurants. As I understand it, 'The Verdigris House' will be selling decorative antiques and homewares. I'm informed that they also sell items at The Red House Antiques Centre! They've been working super hard to get the shop ready for their grand opening which, I understand, will be sometime in May 2021.
Image: The Verdigris House - https://www.instagram.com/p/CNsoMEPnmqf/
I wish 'The Verdigris House' team the very best of luck for their grand opening!
The Verdigris House
Corner of Nunmill Street and Scarcroft Road, York, YO23
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Image: Gate 56
And then I stumbled across 'Gate 56', situated on Goodramgate, York. Another quirky shop, packed with interesting vintage and antique pieces. It does have a small frontage, so keep your eyes peeled, but the shop itself is actually bigger than you might expect, like a lot of the shops in this area.
It appeared to have no shortage of customers when I visited, so I have no doubt that it will do well on a street that is fast becoming a must visit in York, with lots of interesting independent shops and cafes.
Best of luck to the 'Gate 56' team!
Gate 56
56 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LF
Image: Stonegate, York - courtesy of Yorkmix
But it's not just in York that new antique shops have been popping up. I've read numerous articles about new antique shops appearing all over the UK! It feels like every week I read about a new antique shop opening. But it's not only shops, there's the odd auction house too!
Surely, so many shops opening is a telltell sign that demand for antiques and collectibles has grown, and is continuing to grow at quite the rate. You can't deny that this is surely the beginning of an exciting period for the antiques trade.
Well, that's it for this week folks. I hope you found this interesting and that you're as excited as I am about the future of the antiques trade. As always, let me know what you think in the comments section below, particularly if you've had a new antique shop pop up in your area.
If you enjoy my posts, please do subscribe to my blog, which you can do here or via the 'Home' page. I have also started a new YouTube channel, where I talk about interesting finds and trade related subjects, so if this interests you too, come join the party here.
So, until next week, stay safe, keep buying those antiques and keep spreading that Source Vintage love.
Cheerio!
Stephen
Owner Source Vintage
Shop from Source Vintage here
Lovley shops are they still doing mail order .?