Ramsgate Thrift Store is now open at its new premises in the town’s former HSBC building.
The pre-loved, Stüssy and vintage clothing shop has doubled its floor space and has already seen a steady flow of customers since opening this afternoon (December 11).
The store is headed up by Ben Monks and partner Christina Brazil, with staff member Ari on hand to help serve customers.
The former shop premises at the top of the High Street has been running since 2017.
Ben, who sold vintage clothing at Brick Lane market prior to moving back to Kent 10 years ago, said: “The move means we are now in the centre of town. We had completely outgrown the other place.”
The team spent about one month getting the former bank premises ready, scraping up the thick concrete floor to discover the parquet flooring beneath.
Ben added: “We still have the bank vaults downstairs although there was no money in them!”
The parents-of-two are hoping to see lots more customers now they are in the heart of the town.
Ben added: “We chose today to open because it is the late night shopping. We wanted to open for the Christmas light switch-on but (were delayed).”
Ramsgate Thrift Store is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 4pm. It is open until 8pm tonight (December 11) as part of the late night shopping event. The store is also hosting one of Ramsgate’s illuminations for the light trail.
View this post on Instagram
The HSBC bank was Grade II listed in 2023. The premises was designed in a neoclassical style and built in 1921 for London Joint City and Midland Bank. It was one of 82 branches to be shut down by the bank in 2021 and had been empty since then.
Looks great! I’ll check it out next time I’m in Ramsgate.
I wish them every success and will pop in soon as had a few finds in the old shop.
Is that a mural by Dream Safari on the wall? They did the cosmic wizard frog on the Arlington hoardings in Margate and the three-eyed Donald Duck on the store’s old site in Ramsgate, if I’m not mistaken. Worth a trip to the store to check it out, as well as the clothes. Perhaps Dream Safari will also do some externally-facing work on the building. Fingers crossed eh?
Best of luck to them!
Great to see folk buck the current retail trend.
How do I get in on my mobility scooter? Since my stroke last August I can’t manage steps, and have poor balance.
Perhaps you can ask the beggar outside to give you a hand?