I’ve always been a huge fan of Poorboy Boutique in Hull, ever since I visited their little two-story shop on Newland Avenue. They then moved to a bigger premises in Princes Quay Shopping Centre; it was during this time that I featured them in my Guide to Vintage Shopping in Hull.
Recently, the vintage retailer moved to the newly renovated Humber Street, which is fast becoming one of my favourite places in the city.
If you didn’t know already, Poorboy sells a wide range of original and remastered vintage pieces. They’re experts in transforming old-fashioned garments into fresh, modern designs with a quirky edge.
The new shop has an industrial feel that fits in with the rest of the Fruit Market area. Humber Street used to be home to the fruit traders, so it’s full of huge warehouses that have now been transformed into bars, eateries and galleries. The exciting project was completed just in time for Hull’s year in the spotlight as the UK City of Culture 2017.
“No. 17 Humber Street is an amazing venue for our new shop,” enthused manager Caroline Pendleton when I was chatting with her at the launch night, “It’s set in an original warehouse and we hope to create a cool, industrial vibe inside the boutique. Unlike our previous High Street shop, we’ve been able to put our own stamp on it.”
Kitted out with trendy Edison bulbs, wooden crates and Victorian plumbing, Poorboy’s intriguing aesthetic contrasts nicely with the vibrant contemporary artwork on display.
“We really want to fit in with the rest of Humber Street and support the local arts and music scene, so a lot of what we do will involve Hull-based creatives,” Caroline tells me.
This was emulated in the fantastic launch day party that Poorboy put on for their customers. They had acclaimed artist Mark Wigan customising Dr Martens, acoustic singer Adam Brodie performing in the morning and local grime/rap artist Chiedu Oraka in the afternoon.
If you missed out on the launch day, don’t fret, the store is still full of gorgeous vintage gems that have been reworked by the experts at Poorboy. You can find original Levis, crazy 80s jumpers, one-of-a-kind jackets and retro summer dresses, as well as a huge range of fun accessories.
Whilst opening the new store, Poorboy has also introduced some new brands to their arsenal. They now stock Herschell, creators of the popular-yet-practical backpack: “We’ve listened to our customers and started stocking ‘new’ brands that offer items that you may struggle to find when shopping vintage,” Caroline explains.
Now settled into their new home at No.17 Humber Street, Poorboy continues to be a favourite with vintage-lovers in Hull. And I’m definitely no exception!
Not in Hull? Firstly, why the hell not? Secondly, you can find Poorboy via their website and buy from their ASOS Marketplace store.
Want to discover more vintage in Hull? Don’t hesitate to check out my extensive guide.
