When we think of a self storage unit, we don't often think of them as the perfect location to open a business.
However, with rising rental costs and a demand for smaller shop spaces that just what brothers Elliot and Lewis McKim thought when they opened their vintage clothing shop inside a storage unit in Mallusk.
The brothers, who describe themselves as best mates, began their journey with selling clothes from Lewis' bedroom, now their business is thriving in their new unit.
Read more: Derry clothing boutique brings new life to vintage clothing
"The idea came about in 2019. Me and my brother were working different jobs but between that we had both suffered mental health problems at different times," Lewis told Belfast Live.
"My brother has a ten year old son and I had come back from living in New Zealand due to personal problems.
"We were sitting one day and we are massively into clothes. We decided to go for it and see what we could do so we were toying about with different names and ideas then we thought why not call it Positive Vintage to tie in with the story behind it."
Lewis said that the project went on the back burner until roughly a year and a half ago when they handed their notices in and decided to go for it.
"We were away wholesaling for stock for the business as we had no shop. We were selling from my bedroom, then we had two living rooms full to the brim with stock.
"When we went to wholesale we began looking at shops and I said to Elliot that we needed a wee storage unit because it would be cost effective and give us the change to get our business out there.
"When we came back, I typed in storage units near us and this happened to come up."
The brothers stock a lot of unisex clothing brands including Carhartt Carpenters, Dickies, North Face, Stussy and a range of Hawaiian shirts.
"We have people coming in who are maybe 45, 50 and we also have teenagers coming in so there is a big wide range of customers that we actually sell to which is nice because people come in and tell us they enjoy what we are doing here," Lewis continued.
"We want to set this business up so that we can pull in two wages for both myself and my brother but we also want to make an impact with our business through clothes which I think is a powerful way because so many people like clothes, they like styles and different vibes so if we can impact people through that and do it on a worldwide basis, I would love that. It would be class."
Lewis said that when they had initially looked for a shop unit, it was just coming out of the pandemic and rent prices were sky high.
Opting for the storage unit allowed them to expand their business in a cost effective manner.
Elliot said that because they are like best friends, it makes running the business a lot easier.
"Lewis is here most of the time because I am also working another job alongside it but we are best friends outside of the business and that doesn't change in here either," he said.
"It is tough and that is why I take my hat off to Lewis because he is here, he is doing a lot of the work on his own and people don't see that.
"It is getting there and it is hard for me too because I have to work outside of the business as I have a ten year old son to look after."
Elliot told us that he is a massive football fan, so he always has his eye on sourcing vintage football tops for the shop.
"Never did I think I would own something with my brother and it is trial and error in finding stock.
"If we don't think it is sellable then we won't take it but we are always listening and taking on board what people want to see in stock."
Elliot added he wants to see the business become as big as possible and with a renewed focus on sustainability, the business is growing.
"We will see what happens but I think with a focus on recycling and even finding a rare, old piece that you want to look after and that you aren't going to get in a shop brand new, you find hidden gems.
"We have to reel ourselves in sometimes a go, right ok, we've picked that for customers and not for ourselves."
READ NEXT:
Wheatus: Teenage Dirtbag singer shares fond memory of enjoying kebabs while exploring Belfast
Andersonstown dancers set sights on America after qualifying for World Championships
Inside My Wedding: Co Antrim couple share 'the best day' of their lives
New Primark store to open in NI shopping centre as part of £7m investment
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
