Rewind By Hospice 

 

It seems as though Frankton, a once railway town in 1910, has passed down its essence of a community like a (good) generational curse. Within the past, local businesses came and then closed. Now, something special rears itself up, something promising, and it offers a likeliness to you students.

 

If you haven’t had a wee look into the Frankton Hospice, may it be your next-stop recommendation? Past the second-hand knickknacks of cow patterned mugs, pink couches, an extension of this store is the Rewind By Hospice. Rewind By Hospice was initially built upon the image of sustainability, reducing fast fashion, which in turn gives students like you an outlet to buy affordable (retro) clothes. 

 

And who is to thank for Rewind By Hospice? The answer is a girl who is a lover of fashion, lover of people, with a demeanour that compliments the work she produces: Stella Neems. Combining this love of fashion and people, Stella noticed mounts of clothing going into the bail bins. Continuing to volunteer at The Hospice, it’s one of the many things in the fashion realm she does so well. 

 

The first taster of Rewind By Hospice came about during lockdown. With Stella putting clothing content online nearing the end of Level 3, it expanded and exploded. Originally it was something small but it turned into a business of goodness, in both the Frankton Hospice and the online store. In many ways, this can be a reflection of how chaos brings about creativity and innovation. It’s that bittersweetness that though Covid hindered many it complimented some. 

 

I’m sure you’re all money insecure students unless you somehow managed a student allowance from your parents. For students fashion plays a primary role in how others see you and how you see yourself. It gives away a lot about the type of degree you’re doing (I’m looking at you psych majors with your docs and wide-leg jeans). Purchasing first-hand can be costly to be trendy. But I’d say to be on trend isn’t to be fashionable. When my mum was my age, buying second hand and wearing them to school was uncool. Nowadays the tables have turned. Second-hand options are more unique, often one of a kind. It takes a lot to turn away from the likes of Glassons or… Hallensteins? (Honestly I’m not sure where most boys buy first hand clothes). And purchasing second-hand also plays into your own narrative, the money insecure. It’s places like these that are for you and therefore for the community.

 

Composed of a few volunteers and students it is a small essence of the wider Hamilton community- and it starts with the young adults and youth. The online extension drops every Thursday at 1. But if you’re one for mini-adventures then have a wee look in-store. 

 

The Found Store

 

Unveiling some of the beautiful faces behind the second-hand, boutique, and interior design community… Found Store is comparable to a retro, real-estate garage sale you’d accidentally stumble upon on a hot summer day. 

 

If you’re a recycle-boutique fumer who spends the rest of your student allowance on Harley Davidson tees then maybe you should familiarise yourself with the ladies behind the Found Store. You may recognise her if you’ve nestled into Hamilton in recent years- Liz. Former Glassons Gal worker now loyal second-hand fanatic you can see the essence of what she loves in store. Then we take to Ann-Maree, who had a background in all things interior design. They describe their store as bright. Which is true, those neatly piled clothing and pieces for your girly-girl flat you’ll wish you had purchased over the several oat milk lattes from GSK. 

 

Ok, yes, this place may not exactly accommodate the mould of the ‘I’m a student who really does not have the budget for this’ but that’s not the point. Again, it’s places like these that reflect what Hamilton can offer past your sleep-ins on Hogan Street. 

 

In my case, I came to Hamilton none the wiser. When telling people I was moving to Hamilton for uni I’d hear the ‘WhAt a HoLE’ said by someone who thinks living in the Mount is the biggest personality trait. But honestly I quite like what exists here. The people are great and if you haven’t found great ones then maybe get into the community more. There’s a drinking culture but there is also a larger culture that exists, can you feel it? And if you haven’t felt it maybe pop into Found and spark up a wee chat with Liz or Ann-Maree. I know I will.