A popular Armagh-based second-hand, vintage clothing store has announced its closure after just one year on the high street.
Second Hand Sal on Scotch Street had opened its doors to much fanfare in May 2024 with owner Sal McConnell at the helm.
A thrifty shopper herself, Sal had long dreamed of bringing her passion for pre-loved fashion to the high street in a promotion of ethical and sustainable shopping.
Among her responsibly sourced items, Second Hand Sal housed a collection of vintage 60s – 80s era clothing and a variety of premium sporting brands.
It was the first shop of its kind in Armagh and had become a physical reality after years of selling her items through social media where she had an active and rapidly growing following.
However, Sal has today (March 25) announced that she will not be renewing her lease for another year as a result of “rent, rates and very, very low footfall”.
In a statement made via her Instagram page, Sal announced: “After one year of business I have decided to close my bricks and mortar shop.
“In recent months I have been struggling with the rent and the rates in town and the very, very low footfall in my local town, Armagh.
“Last year I was on top of the world. I pumped whatever money I had into this, getting it painted, getting it decorated, buying stock.
“I was so naïve and it’s no secret sadly that the UK economy and the North of Ireland economy, especially, is on hard times and we’re told to try and support local and to try and support small business but it’s just not happening.
“I love what I’ve built, I love this shop and I love that it’s just my little happy place and I love all of you and I love everybody for supporting me.
“This is just a little step that I had and yeah, it’s just it’s sad but it’s just one of those things.
“I completely understand that at the end of the month these days there’s not a lot of money to come and buy vintage clothes, so I get it.
“So the time has come for me to sign a lease for another year and I just cannot lock myself in for another year and have the stress that I have had trying to pay my bills this past couple of months.
“It’s been very hard. So I have decided now to physically, fully move my business online and I think it’s best for me, for my husband, for my kids.”
While the announcement of the shop’s closure will come as a shock to many of her loyal customers, Sal reassures them that this does not signal the end of her business.
She added: “It’s with a very heavy heart that I say that Second Hand Sal, Scotch Street Armagh is closing but you will still see me about, still see me doing my bit on the apps and on my website.
“I just want to say a massive, massive thank you to every single one of you that has liked, shared, messaged, bought, like anything at all.
“My customers, my locals that come in here and have been a shoulder for me to cry on, have brought me coffee, have just been amazing – thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you so, so – like you don’t understand – thank you so much.
“The shop will be going but hopefully I will be here for a very long time.
“I have found a space – a beautiful, stunning space – that will still allow me to record my reels and still have my gorgeous vintage clothes.
“It is stunning and one of my gorgeous customers has put me in touch with it and things are changing – evolving as people say – but for the better.
“I do feel good about it – I feel sad – but I do feel very, very good about it. Thank you so much, I just appreciate every single one of you.”
