It's A Knockout

Morning,

Just given the counter a bit of a polish. I love our counter. Not sure how old it is but the metal plaque on it states it was made by Shopfittings (Manchester) Ltd, Manchester 4. Not sure when the postcodes changed but I think that makes it at least 50 years old (but I'm happy to be corrected if anyone else can help!). It's an old drapers counter. The best thing about it is that I think we were fated to have it. When I was looking at counters to buy, most of the affordable ones were just MDF boxes. Pete said it was a shame we couldn't find one like the old drapers counter they used to have in Milestones on Cambridge Street. Now I don't remember Milestones, but it was a clothes shop in Wellingborough in the 80s/90s (again, I think, feel free to correct me). Anyway, I got increasingly annoyed as Pete extolled the virtues of this apparently fantastic counter I couldn't afford anything like. Then, a day later, we ran into the bloke who had owned Milestones in town, Pete not having seen him for about a decade. In the course of conversation, it transpired he still had the counter (it was in his garage acting as a vegetable rack) and he agreed to sell it to us. Hence, the antique counter. Admittedly, the glass on top is a little scratched and there are signs in the wood that it was once attacked by hungry bugs (they're not there now, I checked!), but it's really distinctive, and even still has the little brass ruler measuring out a yard on the top. All in all, it's Unorthodox, and that's what we like. So yes, that's Friday story time for you!


Today's Pick Of The Day is expertly modelled here by Steve, but since we have it in sizes ranging from XS to L, I think it's perfect for the ladies too. This is the Worn Free Joan Jett Knockout T-Shirt, now on sale at £25.00. It's a replica of the original Knockout t-shirt worn by Joan Jett in New York, 1981, as shown on the distinctive Worn Free tag. California's Worn Free produce brilliant fully licensed t-shirts that are fantastic quality (mine have lasted ages and washed really well), and this is a great way of showing your love of an artist without the obvious band t-shirts. Or I suppose it's just great if you like boxing. If you like boxing *and* Joan Jett, it's just too damn perfect! So get this and settle down with The Runaways on DVD or start dancing around to I Love Rock N Roll.

It's Friday! Oh, you noticed? :)

Kat

Now Playing In The Shop: Chinese Rocks - Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers

The Runaways

Morning,

The Runaways is the new movie about the 1970s girl band of the same name, that included Joan Jett. It's out in the UK on September 10th, and stars Kristen Stewart (she of the Twilight films) and Dakota Fanning.

As we're quite looking forward to this flick, I thought pick of the day should be one of our Joan Jett t-shirts by Worn Free. Modelled here by Steve, we currently have this in stock in sizes starting at Extra Small, so it's perfect for girls too. It's a fully licensed replica of the Knockout t-shirt worn by Joan Jett in New York in 1981, and comes with the famous Worn Free swingtag/sticker showing Ms Jett in the original. All the Worn Free tees are fantastic quality, and the ones I've had have washed really well and lasted me years, so they're well worth the bit of extra cash. All our Worn Free t-shirts are priced at £32.

All ready for the weekend?

Kat

Now Playing In The Shop: The Space Between Us - Melanie Doane

I love Rock N Roll

Morning,

All excited in the shop today as I get to see the new Max C range later (and maybe some bits from Uttam's new label, Iska). Been getting loads of great comments on our new interior sign (on the wall, above my head) that Pete made.

The pick of the day today is this Worn Free 'as worn by' Joan Jett t-shirt. I thought it was quite relevant given we're awaiting the UK release of the Kristen Stewart/Dakota Fanning starring biopic The Runaways, and this t-shirt gives you the chance to be ahead of the game! We have this one starting at Extra Small as well as the bigger sizes, so it's perfect for guys and gals.

Really need some caffeine today! So if you're planning on popping in, bring me a black coffee please!

Kat

Now Playing In The Shop: Loser - Glee Cast

Start of the Waendal weekend

It's the start of the Waendal Weekend in Wellingborough today. Basically, people come from all over the place (even abroad) to walk and cycle around Wellingborough and the surrounding villages. I think registration started at 10am this morning at the Castle (it's a theatre, not an actual castle, for those not familiar with the town!) so I expect to see people in walking boots and rucksacks wander past fairly shortly. Can't say I've ever joined in with it. Even my trainers have heels! But hope it goes well for everyone if you're taking part! It does mean I finally got to put up an 'entree libre' sign (as per last blog entry) as part of my 'We speak French' sign. I don't know how many French-speaking tourists turn up for the Waendal Weekend, but I'm trying to be enterprising. Lots of German and Dutch people come, but I don't speak any of the relevant languages!



Decided today's pick of the day should be something for the men, so this is one of the Worn Free t-shirts we carry. Worn Free is a fantastic label (wear them a lot myself) who make licensed republicas of t-shirts seen on various icons. Massive in the States, and having just relaunched in Europe, their t-shirts are available in some of the best department stores, and I'm thrilled to have them in here. They're always great quality, and come with a tag showing the star who wore it in the original. This one is a Muhammad Ali one, which we have in black or white. It has a great back print, too.
We also have some of their t-shirts as worn by Keith Moon, Joey Ramone and Joan Jett, and well as a fantastically retro Jimmy Cliff/Harder They Come one that has been attracting a lot of attention. Hopefully they'll start doing the women's fit ones over here too, as I know a lot of the ladies would love them too! In the meantime, we do have some of these in the smaller sizes as well, if the girls want to give them a go.

Hoping to progress with the online shop as soon as possible so for those too far away from the shop, keep checking in and I promise to keep you posted.

Kat
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