Pick'n'Mix - the joy of the chaz in '26!

DigForVictory

What I loved was Grandmother - stomped out the flame, then hauled the lad off to Jenners (Expensive Edinburgh Emporium), selected the really nice fabric, docked him pocket money for months (restarted in time for Christmas) and publicly credited him when anyone commented on her graceful drapes. He taught us the story decades later, so clearly didn't hold a grudge. (Nor teach us how to make nitro, drattit.)
Anyone who thinks I'm a proper caution may not see two generations of strong minded folk guiding my footsteps.

beanielou

Oh the much missed joys of Jenners. 

Miró

Jenners first introduced me to cashmere……the only time I have ever paid a proper shop price for a cashmere sweater. (Charity shops were not really a thing in those days!)

florianatwobob

DfV what an excellent tale! 

I only had the opportunity to visit Jenners once but whilst wandering through their art gallery did pause to note that a painting by a girl I’d been to nursery/infants/juniors and secondary school with was for sale! I have one of her earlier artworks in the form of a thank you card she drew for my mum after a school trip. 

Rosa_Damascena

The world is changing! The department stores we took for granted not so long ago have been consigned to clicks and mortar. I am part of the problem I suppose, in as much as I have plenty of clothes so rarely contemplate buying new. Fragrances, cosmetics and some food I do though. I suppose that is the way that M&S and John Lewis (Waitrose) are surviving.

weenancyinAmerica

Oh, I loved Jenners. I went there whenever I was in Edinburgh, often to eat lunch. Still have the long underwear I got there (Edinburgh can be really cold). Have a couple of needlework kits from there, among other things. 

Brie

Rosa_Damascena said:

The world is changing! The department stores we took for granted not so long ago have been consigned to clicks and mortar. I am part of the problem I suppose, in as much as I have plenty of clothes so rarely contemplate buying new. Fragrances, cosmetics and some food I do though. I suppose that is the way that M&S and John Lewis (Waitrose) are surviving.

It's a doom of their own making at times.  The only way I can get what I want is to order it online from M&S or JL as the stores rarely go above size 18 or simply don't carry the lines I would buy from in store.  

goldfinches

@DigForVictory - that was a lovely post and your grandmother sounds very good value. 

I do miss our local ironmongers, Gills, whose Oxford branch closed because their lease came to an end and their landlord (one of the colleges, I forget which) wanted such a whopping increase in the annual rent that they left saying they simply couldn't afford to remain. They were the only place within the ring road that one could buy many things and although other retailers have taken up some of the slack I had to cycle miles for a toilet plunger last year.
The other place I really miss is Boswell's whose old building is now a hotel which doesn't seem to be doing very well judging by how empty the cafe and bar look when I pass by. Boswell's had a lovely kitchen department in the basement where I drooled over graduated pudding basins and the like as well as a great dispensing chemist with a lovely pharmacist in charge who answered all sorts of obscure enquiries instantly. I had to go to three places for a basic silicon spatula this weekend and even then it wasn't really the size I wanted so I've done a click and collect for next week.

Sorry for running on, the weather here is getting me down I think. The river burst its banks yesterday and is even higher today and looks like particularly nasty khaki coloured soup with yellowish froth.

Anyway, I dropped into my favourite bhf shop the other day and found a DVD of the original Disney Jungle Book although the case says "digitally enhanced" so I hope they haven't spoiled it completely. It was only £1 so I thought it worth taking a chance. I didn't take a photo because I assumed that everyone here would know what it looks like.

annieb64

Boswell's was a lovely shop.I do miss the old department stores.We are lucky here as we do still have an ironmongers but I heard yesterday that a dress shop and a coffee bar in our town are closing

Rosa_Damascena

@goldfinches and @annieb64 - you've hit the nail on the head. Properties have seen growth that outstrips other sectors and we are paying the price by losing small and local businesses.

Back to matters chaz: I struck gold recently with a Betty Barclay light knit, a heavy Jojo Maman Bebe cardigan jacket, a Mango summer blouse and a Per Una cardigan which is smart enough to wear at work.