A Hidesign bag for a fraction of its original price, is a steal any day and so is that antique brass idli maker. Started by Bijulal Chacko and Sujith Babu, The Show Showp holds the idiom, of ‘One man’s trash being another man’s treasure’, close to heart. “Everyone has a cupboard or two that overflows with unused stuff. It could be clothes that no longer fit, bags that are out of style, stilettos bought on an impulse, gifts that did not meet the mark... These goods often lie and gather dust in the dark corners of the cupboard. And that is where The Show Showp comes in,” says Sujith, a banker.
The shop, says Bijulal, is on the lines of thrift shops and flea markets where one can sell and buy old or unused goods. “We aim to propagate the concepts of three ‘R’s- reduce, reuse and recycle,” says Sujith. And so you have ‘pre-loved’, ‘gently used’ and even ‘brand new’ goods at ‘great value’. A stuffed toy for ₹100, a branded pair of high-heeled shoes for ₹500, books for ₹50.... take your pick.
The duo began the store with a 10-day “garage sale,” wherein people dropped off stuff that were tucked away in the dark confines of their closets. “We were skeptical at first as to how the citizens of the city would respond to such a concept. Surprisingly, it was a hit. Lots of people dropped off crockery sets, old electronic goods and furniture. A family who was moving abroad gave us cartons of rare framed photographs, toys, designer bags, curios... We even had an antique pedal piano brought in by a client. While a similar piano was priced at ₹30,000 online, he sold it for ₹1,500. The piano was bought by a local musician,” says Bijulal, an IT professional.
The goods can be displayed at the store for three months. Prices are decided by the owners. The store receives a 10 per cent commission from the sale. So, what happens if the goods fail to sell and have crossed three months? “We haven’t decided yet, we might charge a nominal fee if the owner still wants to sell the goods, or we will donate it to charity if they agree to it,” says Sujith.
The store also provides space for upcoming entrepreneurs, artists and NGOs to showcase their products. And so, there are jewellery, terrariums, clothes, coffee powder, tea, spices and so on, on the shelves. Those who want their goods to be donated to charity can drop off their stuff “which is in good condition”, at the shop.
Customers to the shop are from different age groups and from all economic levels. “With the current economic slowdown, many are looking for cheaper alternatives for everything. There are always bargains to be found at our store. Some goods can offer a taste of luxury without hitting on the pocket too hard. No one is immune to the thrill of finding a treasure and the thought of saving money,” says Bijulal.
The Show Showp at Kannammoola is open Monday to Saturday from 9.30 am to 8 pm. On Sundays, it’s open from 10.30 am to 8 pm. Contact: 0471-4000321