And now for something completely different – new shop is a hit at PPP in Wick
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The Pulteney Centre at Huddart street in Wick is hosting pop-up shops as part of a special initiative by Pulteneytown People's Project (PPP) to support local businesses.
Before closing up for the festive season, the centre had something different in the shape of a table filled with collectibles and other memorabilia from a new shop on Wick's High Street aptly called 'Something Different'.
Melissa Stubbings who helps run the second-hand shop was busy last Tuesday and took a quick break to talk about her plans for the new venture. "The aim of the shop is to have a little bit of something for everyone," she said. "We have antiques for people from the older generation. We don't appreciate things like we used to and kids just like using the Internet. I think toys and other things in the past were built to last and better quality as they weren't throwaway like now."
Donald Dale owns the business and has an interest in old fishing boats and related items, having procured various pieces of tackle for sale from a shop that closed down. Their regular shop is situated at 53 High Street in Wick where the North Rox jewellers traded until recently closing.
"We've been running the shop for a few months and it's my first time venturing into this trade," said Donald.
"It's a challenge and as you can see we're doing a lot of things – something different to try and balance things out and keep up with what's going on. Everything is second-hand and we sell and buy stuff."
He said that the main aim of the pop-up shop at the Pulteney Centre was to publicise Something Different and showcase some of its items for sale. There are many other items for sale at the High Street shop and in its stock room. Donald has a keen interest in model boats and Hornby train sets and says there is a thriving market for such items.
"We had a lot of sales this morning so we might come back again," he added, reeling off some of the items that were sold including watches, ceramics, bracelets and a few toys.
Melissa said: "We have a range of everything and buy silver, gold, antiques and try to keep our prices low as people can't afford stuff these days what with the cost-of-living. We do watches, straps and battery repair for watches too." Melissa says there are plans to get arts and crafts materials into the shop and have a showpiece for the front window with a toy train diorama.
There is a Facebook page with more info about the new shop which can be found at: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552490849070
PPP development office Jennifer Harvey said: "If anyone asks we'll do a pop-up shop and we do it quite a bit. All we ask is for a small charity donation. It's good to help local businesses too."
