Save The Sook

When you’re passionate about what you do, who you meet, the connections you make and when you have a gut feeling that you know it's all for some better cause, it becomes a really difficult thing to walk away from. In this case, I think you call it SookSouk...my vintage clothes shop in Dundee. Hi i'm Sharyn :)

After seeing and feeling all the support that SookSouk has received since I announced I was closing a few weeks ago, I don’t, wholeheartedly, think that closing is the best thing to do. It would be crazy to throw away all the hard work and amazing energy that has surrounded the shop. It's more than just a vintage clothes shop, it's become a community hub and events space, showcasing local artists, designers and musicians. Something that is definitely needed in these tough times.

So I’m taking the bull by the horns and asking for some help. The shop has always managed to tick over, but these last couple of months, things have crept in financially. I need to get out of the rut to take SookSouk to the next level in order for it to work. It has had such a positive impact on the city and surrounding community, that I don’t want to give all that up. That’s why I’m starting this go-fund-me to keep the SookSouk legacy alive and build on all this amazing energy.

Anyone that knows me, knows this has always been a dream of mine. I didn’t know it was going to be in this little, yellowish orange, corner of the Perth Road way back then. I had always visualised somewhere bigger, more multi-use, but here we are and it feels right!

Right now the shop needs a tiny bit of investment to keep it alive and get it back open again. Having talked to many people: friends, customers and advisors; they have told me this is the way to go.

I would use some of the money to get the shop back up to scratch by giving the place a small makeover that its needing, freshen things up, buy some new stock, and turn the space into a more manageable event and project space. I would also use some of the money for equipment that would support this such as a sewing machine and materials to go alongside. I studied Fashion design many moons ago customising and altering garments would be another source of income which the shop needs. Most importantly, I have had no income since closing and have fallen slightly behind with my rent, this needs to be up-to-date in order to secure the space.

Taking a step back has given me the time to reflect and see what needs to be done to make it a more sustainable business, with the hope to employ people in the future too. It won’t need much but a few tweaks and it would make things more suitable for a more diverse audience.

Thankfully I have friends around me, who want to get involved and help this time around. It won’t be the solo project it once was, that, in all honesty, as a single parent, I found most difficult to manage. There are plans for bigger and better things but we need to get past this difficult phase before we can do anything.

I've organised a couple of my own events to run alongside the gofundme. It wouldn't feel right without trying to raise funds myself. The first one being a pub quiz and the other a music event with local business's, Dj's and musicians. Keep your eyes peeled.

I really needed to hear how you all felt, it was an amazing example of people getting behind you and believing. Thank you for making me realise what I had, I just need to ask for one last favour from you.

All my love,

Sharyn from the Souk xxx