Junk Shop

Lizzie Wood
Junk Shop, Northern Quarter, Manchester Shops

Not just another vintage clothes shop, this little Northern Quarter store stocks sustainable fashion, clothing by local designers – and the odd cake tin.

A quick glance above the door of Junk Shop is all it takes to be clued up about its distinctive mission statement. “Sustainable fashion made in Manchester” proudly adorns the Dale Street store’s shop front. Step inside this vintage haunt and you’ll be met with everything from pocket watches and 1970’s typewriters to handmade dresses, handbags and costume jewellery. But Junk doesn’t just source one-off vintage finds. This rising empire has spent the past few years collaborating with sustainable designers to bring locally-produced fashion to the city centre. Since opening in 2007, the store has developed three unique labels – Made In The Mill, Jumble and Label of Love – and it’s this ethical element that helps differentiate Junk from some of its neighbours.

Inside, the store is kitted out with a mishmash of recycled materials, most notably a walk-in wardrobe that doubles as the shop’s changing rooms. The props that cover Junk’s floor – cake tins, the occasional vintage bike – could easily be mistaken by customers as “for sale” items, but that’s not really a problem at Junk: its staff will price up on the spot. Nothing is off limits.

Staff will price up on the spot – nothing is off limits

Junk doesn’t stop at the four walls of its Northern Quarter premises, either, as it offers a range of courses including Shirt Making and Gentlemen’s Tailoring, Beginner’s Dressmaking, and, for absolute beginners, An Introduction to Sewing Machines. Most courses run for four weeks (in the evenings), but there are day courses, too; prices start at £60. With an online store and decent blog to boot, Junk has enough going on to ensure that it not only rides the crest of the current vintage fashion wave. It’ll keep churning out new (and ethical) fashion finds time after time.

2 Dale StreetManchesterM1 1JW View map
Telephone: 0161 238 8517 Visit Now

Free

Opening Hours

  • Monday10:00am - 6:00pm
  • Tuesday10:00am - 6:00pm
  • Wednesday10:00am - 6:00pm
  • Thursday10:00am - 6:00pm
  • Friday10:00am - 6:00pm
  • Saturday10:00am - 6:00pm
  • Sunday12:00pm - 5:00pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on near Junk Shop

Until
ComedyManchester
Creatures of the Night Comedy Club

An insanely committed seven-nights-a-week, Creatures of the Night Comedy Club opens its doors (20.30-22.30 typically, though please check) for evening after evening of side-splitting comedy.

from £5.00
Until
ComedyManchester
The Comedy Vault

Every Monday night upstairs at Fierce Bar, The Comedy Vault hosts an outrageously funny open-mic night. Come and try your hand or just to watch and laugh.

free entry
Until
ComedyManchester
Killer Comedy Club

Killer Comedy Club showcases “the UK’s best upcoming and coming comedians” for a night of roof-raising laughs, with pop-up nights all across the North West.

from £12

Where to go near Junk Shop

Inside Nexus Art Cafe
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Nexus Art Cafe

Nexus Art Cafe is a not for profit cafe and creative space on Dale Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. The venue holds regular events, exhibitions and spiritual activities.

The seats in Three Minute Theatre.
Manchester
Theatre
Three Minute Theatre

The only purpose-built Vintage recycled indie theatre in Manchester’s City Centre. Now mother to Manchester Shakespeare Company thriving in Afflecks consortium of bohemia.

Image of Magma bookshop in Manchester
Manchester
Shop
Magma Books

Magma Books in Manchester is a bright, shiny publishing trove – a sleek Apple Mac with a raw beating heart

Manchester
Shop
Vinyl Exchange

Vinyl Exchange is the largest seller and buyer of rare and second-hand records, CDs and DVDs in the North West.

Image of Night and Day Cafe in Manchester
Manchester
Music venue
Night & Day Cafe

Opened in 1991, Night & Day Cafe on Oldham Street plays host to an exhausting array of gigs throughout the year.

Image of Afflecks Palace in Manchester's Northern Quarter
Manchester
Shopping Centre
Afflecks

Afflecks in Manchester, formerly (and still affectionately) known as Affleck’s Palace, is a mind-bogglingly diverse vintage shopping emporium.

Manchester
Shop
COW Vintage Manchester

COW Vintage, once on Piccadilly Place, now on Church Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter is a beautifully decorated vintage clothes shop.

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in Manchester and the North

Affecting contemporary performances and fresh, relevant takes on enduring classics, we pick out shows that help us scrutinise the world we live in.

Teenage Dads
Music in Manchester and the North

Fresh concert seasons, forward-thinking festivals and a revolving door of amazing gigs. Things are looking bright as spring comes into view.