Petticoat Lane, the place for previously loved clothing

Not many people are aware of the excellent little charity shop, Petticoat Lane, located behind “the Lounge” building on Pascoe Crescent.

Started more than 30 years ago by a group of ladies who wanted to raise money to build a new hospital in town, Petticoat Lane began in a small space at the Lounge (although it was the Market Building at the time) where they would sell old clothes or any other item brought to them.

However, it was clear they would not raise enough money to build a hospital the ladies decided to donate the money they received to various established charities in the area.

This has been going on ever since, with thousands of rands being donated each year.

After the 2012 floods in Port Alfred, the area used by Petticoat Lane was declared unsuitable and a new shop was opened just around the corner in Pascoe Crescent. The renovation work was done free-of-charge by local artisans and companies and reopened in 2013.

With 100% of the monies made in the shop going to charities, volunteers keep the shop stocked with clothes, shoes and household linen by gathering donations from friends and family, and also through the regular donations made by the generosity of Port Alfred residents.

The committee and volunteers run the shop on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9am to noon. The ladies not only price the goods, sell them, and keep the shop clean, they have even been known to take clothes home to wash, repair and alter, if it would benefit a sale! The shop also accepts lay-bys.

The stock of the well-appointed shop is changed with the seasons and, if not sold, is donated to other charities.

There’s plenty on offer for young and old, and there is something for everyone, regardless of shape and size and is well known among customers as being the best place to find good quality, pre-loved clothing at the best prices in town.