Department has been a much welcome addition to Chorlton, turning a once empty and forgotten space into a modern vintage lifestyle store. A few weeks back I met Heather, the creative behind department, and Simion of @relovedupholstery for a photoshoot. The images will be part of an upcoming Christmas feature on department for @reclaimmag, coming out in December. For those of you who haven’t yet visited Department, here’s a little more info about the store and the welcoming lady behind it, along with a few of the images from the day.
How would you describe your business?
I would describe it as a modern vintage lifestyle store which sells an eclectic mix of vintage and contemporary furniture, art, decorative accessories, contemporary pre worn but selectively picked clothing and vinyl records.
How long have you been open?
We've been open for 5 months.
What made you decide to open department?
I've always thought that Chorlton and Manchester generally lacked a good vintage furniture store. I've been interested in mid century inspired interiors for the past 25 years and I trained as an upholsterer in the year 2000 and for many years I enjoyed transforming vintage chairs from fusty to funky. However I'm interested in the whole picture when it comes to interior design so not just reupholstering chairs.
I was offered the opportunity to open a shop in the shop premises on Barlow Moor Rd in Chorlton and I snapped it up. I had secretly been eyeballing interesting sellers on Instagram and has met a couple of people who deal in vinyl, vintage film posters and contemporary women's clothing and I invited a hand picked selection of cool vintage dealers but also a couple of contemporary clothing and homeware sellers.
What do you enjoy most about department?
What I enjoy about Department is making it look as good as possible day in day out. I love the environment that I have created which includes playing great music to sooth, excite and inspire people. And a lot of people say that they love the atmosphere of the shop which is a delight to hear.
What might people not know about department?
People might not know that Department is made up of some 30 different sellers and dealers. This helps to provide an ever changing variety of furniture, art, clothing and decorative accessories. I am an experienced upholsterer of 20 years and reupholstered vintage furniture is a speciality of Department.
Who makes up the team at department?
My main shop team are 2 of my associate sellers who are Lianne uber cool art dealer @rhoko.gallery and Angie of @landothepretty who curates an amazing collection of womens clothing including labels such as Marni, Margaret Howell and Agnes B to name but a few.
What are your top 3 tips about running your own business?
Be warm and welcoming to all of your customers, show great interest in their homes and lives.
Interact on social media and keep posting quality photos because social media has replaced the website and is so much more dynamic and interactive. Websites feel impersonal and staid, whereas on Instagram for example your customer feels connected to you.
I guess my last tip would be to make time for yourself to relax and switch off when possible because running your own business can be 24/7.
How do you like to unwind?
I unwind by walking my Lakeland terrier Wilbur, going for a nice Sunday roast after the shop closes, listening to relaxing music, I'm a big fan of Didsbury born modern jazz musician Matthew Halsall and catching a new film at Home or an old film on the TV.
