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10
Nov
Harrogate vintage shop to close permanently
One of the cornerstones of Harrogate's vintage retail industry is to shut its doors for the last time this month.
Circa Vintage Boutique, at 24 Regent Parade, is due to close permanently on Saturday, November 21.
Owner Maggie Ballinger first opened the shop in 2012, after the sudden death of her husband prompted a career change. She had previously been a teacher and adviser to high schools in Wakefield.
Now, 14 years later, she has decided to call it a day so she can enjoy more flexibility and spend more time with her grandchildren.
She told the Stray Ferret:
I'm closing the shop due to personal circumstances rather than anything else. It's not a bad-luck story – it's a happy story.
Lots of people have said it'll be the end of an era, which is lovely to hear. It's been quite emotional, really.
Since 2012, the corner-unit shop has become well known for its well-chosen vintage clothing, furniture and household items, and has built up a hardcore of regular customers who Ms Ballinger said have been the "lifeblood of the business".
She added:
It's been great. I'm lucky – I've spent 14 years surrounded by beautiful things, and by people who love them. It's been like a second home to me, so I'll be sad to close, but I'm doing it for all the right reasons.
I'll be moving eventually, to be nearer to family, but I've become very fond of Harrogate, and I'll always be back for my hairdresser, my dentist and the friends I've made here.
The unit that will be vacated by Circa, at the corner of Regent Parade and Westmoreland Street, provides more than 1,200 sq ft of ground-floor and basement space. It is now being advertised by estate agent FSS as being to let for £17,500 per year, and will be available to rent from December 1.
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