WITH the cost of living crisis still very apparent, and many individuals, families and businesses struggling, it is important to relish in success stories.
And for pair Steve Hurdle and Jez Dixon, seeing their business reach ten years, is a milestone worth its weight in gold.
Best Days Vintage, in Eld Lane, Colchester, is an independent business specialising in retro clothing.
Since opening their shop in 2013 the fashionistas have prided themselves on kitting out the city’s younger generation in a range of cool and unique garments.
The business has grown hugely over the last decade, with the pair describing how they have tweaked and adapted to keep customers coming back.
Steve said: “We started with one side of the shop, and we were just a vintage clothing shop.
“And over the years, we have had to adapt and tweak the products and services we offer to be more customer-focused, interesting in the way we deliver our messages and be experience-led shopping.”
In recent times the shop has expanded from just vintage clothes to offering vinyl records, as well as repairs and other services too.
Steve described “adaptation” as the key to the shop’s longevity.
“So, we still sell vintage”, he said.
“But now we sell records, coffee and also offer repairs and alterations as a service now as well.
“We've been able to pivot our product offering and come up with fresh ideas to keep the store interesting.
“We have taken risks. So we have taken over the other side of the shop now.
“During Covid, we got a bounce-back loan to invest in taking on this side of the shop to try and grow the business in a time where most people were scared to do that.
“Whether it will pay off is another question, but so far we are still here.”
Steve also described the pair as “stubborn and bloody-minded”.
“There are many times where you think enough is enough”, he said.
“But for some reason, you keep going because you believe in this project and what we do.”
The duo also discussed what has been the most challenging part of running the business over the last decade.
And as expected, Jez said it was simply “staying open”.
“Surviving in the difficult financial climate, through Covid, through Brexit which made it much harder for us to sell online, through the cost of living crisis which we are still in now.
“It is a constant battle to just keep your head above water.
“Now I know it sounds a bit doom of gloom but that is just the reality of running a small business.
“It is very hard, but we still enjoy it which is the main thing.”
Despite the challenges, the pair looked back on the ten years with pride and highlighted the most rewarding parts of running Best Days Vintage.
Jez said: “The overwhelming feeling to reach ten years is pride that we have made it this far.
“We’ve seen so many other shops and small businesses come and go, and we are one of the few who have made it.
“We are very proud of that and this community we have created.”
He continued: “The most rewarding part is the people you meet.
“What we have tried to do here is create a community, people don’t just come in and are customers they come in and are part of the community with us.
“It is a bit of a community hub the shop, it has become that way especially since we brought in the café area.
“People stay, we chat to them, and I think we have made friends along the way.
“Even people who came in the shop when we first opened ten years ago, they have come back, and they still remember when they used to hang out here and say how we helped them through difficult times in college or whatever.
“And that is the most rewarding thing hearing stories like that.”
Reflecting on ten years also gave the pair time to look forward and tease what is to come with Best Days.
Steve said: “We have started to change the products we offer.
“As well as a product we are also offering a service. So, we now offer repairs and alterations in store.
“Not only can you buy a lovely piece of vintage but if you have anything faulty or anything you need repairing, come and see us and we can help you.
“We do hemming, shortening, zip repairs, seam repairs, customising, pretty much anything you need we can help you with.
“So that is the main thing we are doing which is different.
“We are also doing unplugged gigs in store next year something we have never done before and we are going to open lots more clubs.
“Art clubs, chess clubs, crochet club of course, lots of clubs in the evenings to offer a community experience.”
“Ten years down, and hopefully another ten years.”
For more information, visit facebook.com/BestDaysVintage or bestdaysvintage.co.uk.
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