Over the past few weeks I have been working in Southwark in an office that only has a Pret nearby. Unsatisfied at the prospect of eating sandwiches everyday I decided to explore the local area to delightfully find Waterloo's Lower Marsh. A vibrant and bustling strip near The Old Vic Theatre offering boutique shops and colourful market stalls. It was here that I came across vintage haven 'Radio Days', the window display stopped me in my tracks, a detailed and lifelike 1950's bathroom in marshmallow pink. The charming Co-owner, Lee Williams, was at the door and welcomed me in to the shop in what felt like a pied piper moment...
I was overwhelmed by the amount and variety of stock that a seemingly small store could hold. I literally walked in gasping, looking from floor to wall at all the vintage treats. At the back of the shop was a room absolutely packed with clothing and mannequins, who seemed to be browsing the rails. At the till were glass cabinets with neatly lined up compact mirrors, cuff links, jewellery, trinkets, glasses and sunglasses. Opposite the till were shoes, gorgeous bags, belts and hats on mannequin heads wearing cat eye glasses and glossy lipstick. The front of the shop housed retro household items, brightly coloured telephones, cut glass and crystal champagne saucers, twee tea pots, old music players, vinyl records, photo's of 1950's tasteful pin up 'porn' and a fully set up bar complete with huge bottle of Babycham! Lee explained that the shop had been trading for over 18 years, everything was strictly genuine, ie no replicas, and their stock was mostly brought directly to them by sellers, rather than them having to go out trawling through vintage markets, thus cutting out the middle man and keeping prices sensible. It came across as a genuine family run business who's trade was just specialising in everything retro rather than a business that capitalised on the trend and demand for vintage. You could feel the owners passion and love in the shop, everything having its place, all items equal and shining out. It was so breathtaking and almost emotional that I didn't want to leave.
Make sure you head down to visit the place, I guarantee that one visit will be the first of many. I'm already thinking that I may do all my Christmas shopping there! Who doesn't love vintage?! Radio Days is at 87 Lower Marsh, Waterloo, SE1 7AB. www.radiodaysvintage.co.uk Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, also by appointment and late nights if you call in advance.
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