Vintage store is now part of history

THE “Not Just Vintage” shop in Birkenhead is more than a museum of antiques, old clothes, jewellery, memorabilia, books and music.

- By WESLEY HOLMES ECHO reporter

At nearly half a century old, the tiny store is a relic in its own right, with a history dating back to the days of disco dancing and Saturday Night Fever.

The origins of the Not Just Vintage shop date back to 1978 with owner Gary Sharp, from Anfield.

He said: “I was 27 when my fantastic mum said ‘we really love you but I think it’s time you stand on your own two feet and leave home to find your own place!’

“Looking through probably the Echo classifieds I saw an advert, to let flat, ballroom and shop for £25 per week, next door to what is now the NJV shop.

“I was paying that towards our household, so how much different could it be?

“The days when I didn’t plan, just did and I was initially very successful.”

Gary, now 74, enjoyed two years of booming business thanks to the disco craze that was sweeping the nation and the business soon expanded to include sunbeds and a sauna.

But as soon as the business began to soar, it was brought plummeting back to earth by the 1980s recession.

After struggling to stay afloat, Gary decided to close up shop in 1986 and moved into sales.