For the past ten years, Heather Skeffington has owned a vintage wares store in Islington; she loves upcycling and breathing new life into old, unwanted treasures.
So, it was a bittersweet moment when the time came to hand the keys over to new owner Renee Holt—she was going to miss her little shop, but she knew it was in good hands.
‘It’s Just BECAUSE by Heather’ on Beaumont St was down from Suspension Coffee and across from Planet Islington, providing the community with a place to find rare, retro treasures and vintage clothing.
It all started in 2011 when Skeffington walked into Regent Renovators located in the former Regent Theatre, looking for space to open a second-hand store.
“It took the owner a few weeks to decide, but once he said yes, he moved all of his cabinetry and building supplies across and the next minute, I was open,” Skeffington said.
“I had the entire place to myself this huge, big picture theatre that I fell in love with—customers would walk in, and I would start blabbing about the history of the building.”
The former Regent Theatre is one of few 1920’s picture palaces in NSW and possibly Australia; now home to Regent Renovators and Planet Islington, a mix of second-hand stores and traders.
“It was just so exciting, I remember from the first day the store just took off, people loved second hand, and I went home every day on such a high—I knew I was in the right business for all the right reasons.”
Skeffington occupied the space until she was offered a larger store in Clyde St, Hamilton.
“I went from 80 square metres to 320 square metres, I had that for three years, but it was hard lifting heavy furniture and doing it all on my own, so I decided to come back to Islington,” she said.
“The owner of Planet Islington approached me and asked if I wanted a space back, so I took it—I found it a little different as I’d always worked on my own to then being in a place that’s shared with lots of other second-hand traders.
“When the ice cream shop across the road closed, I approached the owner and told them I was interested, and just like that, I was moving stores again, but this was where I stayed.”
Skeffington said she watched as Islington came alive and grew into a vibrant suburb; she loved meeting new people and being a part of a community that shared her passion for upcycling.
She believes that if something can be reused, recycled, and resold, then it should be.
“We have such a problem with landfill; the next generation is going to take on all the problems we have created—if something can be reused, then it needs to be,” she said.
“Clothing, if I’m not mistaken, is the second biggest landfill after plastic, and that’s horrific; if we can recreate, repurpose and give an old thing new life, then why wouldn’t we?”
Skeffington said she also enjoyed the rewarding moment of seeing customers fall in love with upcycled pieces.
“The most beautiful thing for me was clearing a property out because an elderly couple was moving into a retirement village; they would sit there crying because their precious things were being taken,” she said.
“I would chat with them, making them realise that someone else is going to love and cherish these pieces just as they did; it’s not going to landfill, it’s not going to be squashed into the back of a truck.”
Skeffington said she had decided to sell her store once her back problems became too much to ignore.
“The lady who took over my Clyde Street store in Hamilton, Marinella, got me in contact with her daughter Renee who wanted to start a second-hand store,” she said.
“So, Renee bought the store and all of my stock, and from there, the store just started to evolve, which was what I wanted; I wanted someone to move into that space and love it—I was tired, and Renee came in and gave it a breath of fresh air.”
The new store ‘fynde’ is now officially open, where customers can find fashion, bric-a-brac and furniture for affordable prices.
Renee Holt said her style was different from Heather’s but had decided to jump into the deep end and give it a go.
“It’s only been four weeks, and so far, I’m doing pretty good; it’s a prime location and a nice small store, so I love it, and I’m getting such beautiful feedback,” Holt said.
“Hearing Heather say she loves what I’ve done to the shop means the world to me.
“I know how loved and well known she is, so I want to keep Heather’s look here, but I also need to follow my heart and stay true to my style.”
Holt said she was looking forward to meeting people and getting to know the Islington community.
“Come give me a chance, and don’t be scared to ask for anything—I will certainly try to help out as much as I can,” she said.
“You will always be greeted by myself or Sarah, and you will always feel welcome; there will be new treasures to find every day.
“We are open every day because I think when it’s your own shop, you have to give it a real good go!”
Skeffington said she will miss her store but knows that it’s in good hands.
“I will miss it, very much so, but I have to attend to my health, so the timing was perfect, and Renee is perfect too; people love her, which makes me really happy,” Skeffington said.
Customers can visit fynde seven days a week, 10 am to 4 pm, at 17 Beaumont Street Islington.
Hayley McMahon