It's one of Nottingham's most eclectic shops with everything you never knew you needed but at the end of last year Hopkinson was hit by financial difficulties that threatened its future. The business, known for antiques, vintage items and collectables, went into liquidation.
While the shop, in Station Street, was already struggling to get back to trading at the same level before the pandemic, owner of 20 years Liam Woodgates' attention was elsewhere after his wife Bryony had a premature baby. Much of the couple's time was spent at the hospital by the side of their daughter who spent more than 150 days in the neo-natal intensive care unit before being allowed home.
Bryony said: "The previous company has gone into creditors' voluntary liquidation. The pandemic was really tough on everyone but when we reopened we were only open for about six months when Liam's daughter was born at 23 weeks. We spent so long in intensive care with her. It switched his focus from the business."
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Dali-Grey, who was 1lb 1oz (500g) when she was born has just celebrated her first birthday and is thriving but with so much worry and anxiety last year the shop hit rock bottom. Because of the uncertainty several traders who rented space there left.
Happy Sunday Vintage and Boyar Antiques departed, leaving a massive hole in the shop. The Haunted Museum which had been based in the basement since September 2021 had already handed its notice in to move to bigger premises with a cave in Derby Road.
After closing for two weeks, the shop has now reopened. Bryony has become a director while Liam has stepped back from the business. He said: "Naturally I have dedicated 20 years to Hopkinson and am still passionate about its success and future. It is an asset to the city and important for tourism and the entrance of the city.
"I have been passionate about supporting and creating affordable space for small businesses for more than half of my life and it was important for me to make sure it survived the pandemic and that all of the independent businesses still had a home. I created a community and a destination and I'm happy that the new management will continue this legacy onward and I wish them all the best for the future. I will now be making the most of my free time looking after my family and enjoying some much needed rest."
One of the traders Ash Hudson, who runs Silver Fox jewellery stand, has now taken over the whole of the ground floor and is renting the space out to around a dozen new dealers. He said: "You find things you never know you wanted and never knew you needed. Where would you find three taxidermy mice, an Elvis bust and a large ET in an ensemble - it doesn't happen very often."
Although the ET on display is not for sale, they can be custom made for around £200. Other traders are selling vintage clothes, toys, furniture, cameras and knick knacks - from the macabre to the peculiar such as a tiny pair of lamb boots. Militaria, vinyl and handmade metal birds and flower sculptures are also on sale.
"To save the shop I took on the whole ground floor because there was no one in it and how were we going to keep it going? I took all the spaces and divided them up and brought in new dealers. A lot of effort and a lot of time have gone into it. We've all pulled together as a community.
"People will definitely notice a change. I have made it open again. Before when you walked in you couldn't shop without having to try and squeeze past someone but now the floor is open.
"People are coming through the door because it has a reputation already with the students and with the LGBTQ community - it's a hub anyway so these customers already come. All I have essentially done is improve the shopping experience."
Bryony added: "I'm just hoping without the financial difficulty that we were struggling to recover from and now both of our children are in good health that Hopkinson will be what it used to be - that amazing community we used to have."
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