Exactly four years to the day since it opened a much-loved shop in Helston will shut its doors for good.

Saturday will be the last day of trading for The Lady Eve Vintage at the top of Meneage Street, which sells vintage clothing and accessories, as well as homewares made from vintage materials.

Currently everything in the store is being sold at 50 per cent off, with Saturday the final chance to take advantage of the discount before everything is packed away.

Anyone calling in is encouraged to wear their best piece of vintage clothing or accessories ‘just because’ and to emphasise the message that vintage is for every day, not just special occasions.

Owners Jan Williams and Bee Pellow announced in July that they had taken the difficult decision to close, due to Jan moving away from the area.

Jan said: “We’ve been busy. People are really filling themselves up with vintage because they know this is it.

“We’ve had our regular customers come in as well. Both Bee and I have been saying – and we’ve had this conversation many times with our customers – that we have met such lovely ladies, and gents.

“They’ve become more than just customers, they’ve become really positive relationships.”

Bee agreed: “We have some amazing customers that have become more than customers, they’re friends.”

Some of items made from vintage fabric

When they opened (in 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic) Jan and Bee said they wanted to create a shopping experience and somewhere people could just enjoy the clothes, stressing "We never expect anyone to buy an item”, and this is exactly what they have achieved.

“It’s been a bit of escapism for some customers,” said Bee. “There have been some tough times for some of them, and we’ve been almost like a hub for conversation and wellness.”

Jan added: “We’re going to miss everybody, definitely – especially some of the characters. All these people who come in and swap stories.”

And customers have clearly appreciated it too, with the pair receiving many cards, flowers and gifts over the last few weeks.

One such customer who is going to miss the shop is Miranda, who was browsing the rails on Friday and said: “It’s really a kind of palace. We don’t have many vintage clothes shops that give you such amazing service, clothes so beautifully restored and their provenance known.

“They know what suits you – and also say what doesn’t suit you! Which is really helpful.”

Over the last four years the shop has championed Helston, including through its window displays, regularly linking to events in the town – most recently Helston Theatre Company’s production of The Railway Children – as well as national events such as the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and sporting events such as Wimbledon.

 Jan and Bee in 2022, paying their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth (Image: NQ Staff)

For their final window display, both Jan and Bee felt it was only fitting to pay tribute to Flora Day, as such an important part of Helston and also in tribute to the ladies who had danced in vintage since they opened.

Bee added: “There have been so many down comments about there being ‘nothing here’ in Helston – ‘Why would people want to go in?’.

“And we’ve always said come in and find out for yourself. Support a growing number of amazing independent businesses that are bringing life back to Helston town centre.

“We’re going to miss it.”

While neither know exactly what the future holds, this is definitely the end of The Lady Eve Vintage, despite many customers hoping it would move online.

“This is the end of an era,” said Jan, before adding: “Life’s an adventure!”