Old Town General Store in Stockport is one of the most clicked shops on Brothers & Sisters. A lifestyle store, selling a vast range of mens and ladies fashion, homewares, gifts and beauty products, the store launched online and IRL in October 2020.
We asked Tony, the main man behind OTGS and retail aficionado, to share his Top 5 indie shopping recommendations….
1. Rare Mags, Stockport
Magazines are for life, not just for lockdowns. I’ve shopped with Martin and Holly since day one, in August they moved into a much bigger premises with huge plans that have been put on hold due to lockdowns. This hasn’t deterred them at all, I reckon it’s galvanised them – their offer of magazines and books has never been stronger, a really varied selection.
If your missing Magma and never shopped at Rare Mags before, now is the time. They provide click and collect, postal and local delivery services. If magazines aren’t your thing I’d still suggest you follow their Instagram, they do great biscuit dunks and watch out for the blue maned lion!
2. Northern Lights Home, Ancoats
A new lifestyle store in Ancoats – it’s a plant shop, plant hospital, flower shop and home store selling some very cool products from both local and national sellers. They even sell wine – perfect.
They give excellent advice and through this lockdown they’ve been selling flowers and coffee during weekend Flower Hours, their bouquets need to be seen.
3. Stockport Gin
I love gin. So when one of your favourite distilleries is local, it tastes even better. Stockport gin is made in Compstall, from a small home brewery and its run by Paul and Cheryl. I’d encourage you to follow their Instagram @stockportgin where you will be given an amazing insight into the whole gin making and distributing process. They hide nothing! They currently have several different flavours on the go – my favourite it the twist of lime.
4. Jackson O’Malley Butchers, Cheadle
My local butchers. I’ve shopped with them for the last 10 years but since the first lockdown they have been my go-to. It’s great too see them doing so well and seeing them so busy as new and old customers have shop there more and more.You get good old fashioned service, sometimes a shed load of abuse, but always with a smile! They are traditional, don’t be afraid to ask them to prep what you want, supermarkets don’t give you that.
My personal recommendation is the thick cut maple smoked bacon, it’s only available on a Friday and Saturday and it’s not in the fridge long. Find them on Facebook – they provide local deliveries and do great meat packs.
5. Yards Store, Northern Quarter
Yards is a great store, they have a brand mix that I’m seriously envious about! Despite being closed for another lockdown they keep customers up to date with an excellent Instagram account that lets you know of all the new arrivals. It’s serious business getting dressed for working at home!
About Old Town General Store….
Tony has always worked for large retailers – Flannels, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, before COVID Tony was the Retail Director at Harveys of Halifax for over 12 years.
It’s always been a dream of Tony’s to open his own shop and, with encouragement from his wife and a lot of people in the trade, he started to look for a property in August last year and found a perfect shop – on Lower Hillgate in Stockport town centre.
