Five of the most niche shops in York
... and by niche, we mean weird.
Feature
York's narrow, twisting roads make it ideal ground for small,
independent shops catering for niche markets. From a Medieval
role-player seeking his Excalibur to a feline-enthusiast looking for
cat confetti to complete their pet's wedding, York has it covered. Yes,
some of these shops may be verging on the bizarre side, but in a city
with such a diverse and eclectic history featuring rampaging Vikings
and vengeful ghosts among its major features, 'normal' just wouldn't
cut it.
Duttons for Buttons - Coppergate
Take your grandma here and you can guarantee a hefty revenue growth in Christmas money this year. Sure they also sell thread, zips, ribbons and the like, but we all know that the button collection covering a whole wall is the main star of the show. Although Itchy fears for all the button-crazy geriatrics having to traipse up and down the steep and narrow stairs to get their haberdashery fix, the shop has a definite charm and the staff are helpful and knowledgeable.
The Armoury - Stonegate
Got a battle re-enactment pencilled in your diary for next weekend but don't know what to wear for it? Well, fear not young warrior! It's a common problem and The Armoury has just the solution. The walls are adorned with swords large enough and sharp enough to make you wince just by looking at them and there is also a collection of bows for any wannabe Legolases. This is definitely not a shop for the clumsy, unless you aren't the biggest fan of having your fingers and toes intact.
Banana Warehouse - Piccadilly
This second hand furniture shop advertises itself as buying and selling just about anything and it definitely lives up to its claim. In fact, Itchy once chanced upon a used diary scattered upon the piles of used furniture and bric-a-brac. Grab your compass and your map for this weird and wonderful adventure as once you have entered its accumulated hoard of treasures, there's no guarantee you will be able to leave without first having to battle through layers of second hand armchairs, suits of armour and used dot-to-dot books.
Molly Browns - Low Petergate
Entering this shop is like looking into the sun. It would be wise to invest in a pair of sunglasses before visiting, lest you be blinded by the diamantés and glitter balls parading around inside. Selling purses, dresses, jewellery, homeware and basically anything you can stick a bit of sparkle on, it is the perfect gift shop for any girlie friends or Katy Price mini-mes. Subtle and simple aren't words that feature in their vocabulary.
Cat Gallery - Low Petergate
Unleash your inner crazy cat lady without the bother of all the cat hair! This shop sells cat t-shirts, cat glasses, cat jigsaws, cat necklaces, cat tea towel holders, cat photoframes, mechanical dancing cats, cat doorstops, cat aprons, cat bookmarks, cat candles, cat slippers, cat clocks, cat egg cosies, cat keyrings, cat washbags, cat paperweights, cat coasters, cat chopping boards, cat letter openers, cat toilet seats, cat cushions, cat confetti, cat shower caps. Everything, in fact, apart from an actual cat.
Jess Astbury
Duttons for Buttons - Coppergate
Take your grandma here and you can guarantee a hefty revenue growth in Christmas money this year. Sure they also sell thread, zips, ribbons and the like, but we all know that the button collection covering a whole wall is the main star of the show. Although Itchy fears for all the button-crazy geriatrics having to traipse up and down the steep and narrow stairs to get their haberdashery fix, the shop has a definite charm and the staff are helpful and knowledgeable.
The Armoury - Stonegate
Got a battle re-enactment pencilled in your diary for next weekend but don't know what to wear for it? Well, fear not young warrior! It's a common problem and The Armoury has just the solution. The walls are adorned with swords large enough and sharp enough to make you wince just by looking at them and there is also a collection of bows for any wannabe Legolases. This is definitely not a shop for the clumsy, unless you aren't the biggest fan of having your fingers and toes intact.
Banana Warehouse - Piccadilly
This second hand furniture shop advertises itself as buying and selling just about anything and it definitely lives up to its claim. In fact, Itchy once chanced upon a used diary scattered upon the piles of used furniture and bric-a-brac. Grab your compass and your map for this weird and wonderful adventure as once you have entered its accumulated hoard of treasures, there's no guarantee you will be able to leave without first having to battle through layers of second hand armchairs, suits of armour and used dot-to-dot books.
Molly Browns - Low Petergate
Entering this shop is like looking into the sun. It would be wise to invest in a pair of sunglasses before visiting, lest you be blinded by the diamantés and glitter balls parading around inside. Selling purses, dresses, jewellery, homeware and basically anything you can stick a bit of sparkle on, it is the perfect gift shop for any girlie friends or Katy Price mini-mes. Subtle and simple aren't words that feature in their vocabulary.
Cat Gallery - Low Petergate
Unleash your inner crazy cat lady without the bother of all the cat hair! This shop sells cat t-shirts, cat glasses, cat jigsaws, cat necklaces, cat tea towel holders, cat photoframes, mechanical dancing cats, cat doorstops, cat aprons, cat bookmarks, cat candles, cat slippers, cat clocks, cat egg cosies, cat keyrings, cat washbags, cat paperweights, cat coasters, cat chopping boards, cat letter openers, cat toilet seats, cat cushions, cat confetti, cat shower caps. Everything, in fact, apart from an actual cat.
Jess Astbury
Tags
independent |
fancy dress |
best |
accessories |
alternative |
unusual |
York |
cult |
girlie |
cheap |
