Former Insurance Professional Establishes Vintage Retail Business After Successful Lockdown Sales

“I don’t think I could ever go back to a standard job now.” Lee Evans, residing in Cannock, Staffordshire, was employed in the insurance industry when he undertook a significant home decluttering during the initial Covid lockdown. He collected unwanted belongings, including his old clothes and his children’s Lego, and began listing them for sale on eBay. The items sold exceptionally well, and Mr. Evans observed a rising consumer interest in vintage goods. Within a two-month period, he resigned from his insurance position, a career he had pursued for a decade. This decision was influenced by the strong sales of retro items and his ambition to establish his own business. Subsequently, he launched a market stall in Birmingham. By 2024, his business, Nan Summers Vintage, had expanded to include two retail shops. Regarding the initial phase of the enterprise, Mr. Evans stated, “It just kept going and going, we kept selling more.” He further explained, “Then lockdown ended and I was able to meet suppliers, hunt for clothes and that’s where more passion came in.” This experience led him to conclude, “It made me start thinking ‘I can do this, I can resell’ and it seemed quite easy, that was how it was born.” Mr. Evans noted that prior to this venture, he had seldom purchased secondhand items. He remarked, “To come from selling our old clothes on eBay to having two shops feels a bit surreal.” He added, “I haven’t had a day off for about three months, it’s full on but I don’t think I could ever go back to a standard job now.” His retail locations, situated in Birmingham’s Custard Factory and on the nearby Digbeth high street, primarily offer clothing and vinyl records. Mr. Evans indicated that these businesses have altered the consumption habits of both himself and his family. Currently, he rarely purchases new apparel and has encouraged his family to adopt secondhand clothing as well. Commenting on vintage reselling, he stated, “There’s less things going into landfill,” and added, “I’m trying to be as sustainable as possible.” Mr. Evans expresses enthusiasm for discovering unique clothing items, citing an example of a Clark Griswold ice hockey shirt from the National Lampoon’s Vacation movie series. He elaborated, “You always get a bit of history out of things, you find old money in pockets and ski passes, and it’s quite nice to have that conversation with people in the shop.” Beyond environmental considerations, he is also committed to assisting others. The Custard Factory location, according to Mr. Evans, was intended to serve as a “community hub” for people to gather, and it also provides complimentary pop-up spaces for local businesses to sell their own products. He offered advice to those inspired by his journey: “If someone wants to do it, don’t be afraid – just start with selling things around your house and have a go.”