A Carnoustie woman hopes to bring a buzz to the town centre in a new shop offering second-hand fashion and accessories.
Pre-Amado is a new addition to the High Street, stocked with pre-loved and vintage clothes, shoes, handbags and more.
As well as offering everyday pieces from ASOS and Next, owner Debbie Murray also sells complete outfits for special occasions.
The shop also has a section where Debbie sells outfits on behalf of customers.
Her interest in second-hand shopping started ahead of her nephew’s wedding in April.
“I couldn’t find a wedding outfit, because when you go online and look at outfits you think they look lovely, but they might not fit when they come,” she says.
“I went on Vinted and bought a dress that still had a label on it and I got shoes and a bag to match.
“My mum was struggling, so I got her an outfit and got it adjusted for her.
“Then I got her shoes and a bag, and shoes and a bag for my sister to go with her outfit, so it started from there.”
A real family affair
After 12 years at Steve Whittaker Optometrist, Debbie turned 50 in December and fancied a change. She just wasn’t sure what to do next.
As she discovered her love for second-hand and vintage shopping, the Little Feet shoe shop was about to close.
Debbie asked owner Elaine McLauchlan if she could take over the unit, and she suddenly found herself with her very own shop.
She then started buying stock and got help from family members to get ready for the grand opening.
“My dad’s been decorating, my mum’s coming on Saturday to help me, my sister is always helping me and my cousin’s helping me.
“Now I need to get my head around Instagram, I’ve got my son and daughter-in-law helping me with that.
“It’s real family affair to be honest.”
Pre-Amado bringing buzz to the High Street
The 50-year-old says Pre-Amado has been very well received by shoppers and many have contacted her for help selling outfits.
Now she hopes the shop can help to make Carnoustie town centre a bit busier.
“I hope to get the High Street on a bit more of a buzz,” says Debbie.
“All the independent shops, we’ve got uniqueness and we’re quirky.
“It’s a really close community, so it would be good to get the High Street buzzing a bit more and get people travelling to see what stock we’ve got.”
Admitting she doesn’t enjoy visiting the town centre anymore herself, she hopes the shop will help bring people back to the High Street.
Through exploring vintage and second-hand fashion, Debbie has noticed her new way of shopping is better for both the wallet and the planet.
“The stuff in my shop mostly has tags on or has been worn once,” she says.
“People wear their outfits one – and they’re absolutely stunning – so it lets someone else have another go at it.
“It’s a fraction of the cost, it’s saving it from going to landfill and sitting unused in a wardrobe.
“There’s no need to shop new all the time and some of the pieces here are amazing.”
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