A WELL-KNOWN Darlington business is celebrating its 50th anniversary by organising a jumble sale, with all proceeds going to Ukraine.
Dozens of local people flocked to Guru on Blackwellgate in Darlington where Beryl Hankin and her team had set up stalls outside the popular shop.
A Darlington legend, Beryl Hankin, who owns the famous boutique, decided that something should be done to mark the shop’s 50th anniversary, however, she was unsure what would be appropriate given the current situation in Ukraine.
She then decided that “an old fashioned jumble sale” would tick all the right boxes. It would be a fun occasion while raising some much-needed funds for the Ukraine appeal.
Beryl said: “We just thought it would be a good thing to do. We never make plans, things just happen here. Luckily, we have great loyal customers. I always say, it’s more of a community, than just a shop, we have our tribe.”
Read more: Darlington's Guru Boutique celebrating 50 years in business with event for Ukraine
Speaking about the death of the high street and seeing so many independent businesses disappear, Beryl said: “I love high streets so it is a shame. When shopping online, it’s usually because you know what you’re looking for, but when you’re out and about, like in Guru, you don’t know what you’re looking for until you find it.”
Mayor of Darlington, Cllr. Cyndi Hughes said: “I’m delighted to see so many people supporting Guru and the Ukraine appeal, but I’m not surprised.
“Beryl attracts people who march to a different drum so it’s wonderful that after 50 years of Guru, it’s still going strong. Of course, it’s fantastic to see all these people supporting the Ukraine appeal too.”
With music from Bubamara, a Darlington-based ‘folk exotica’ band specialising in Eastern European-inspired music, a buzz was created around Blackwellgate and the music could be heard from Duke Street.
Read more: Many hippy returns...much-loved Darlington shop is 50 years old today
Bubamara members; Dave Haskins, Dave Hartley, Ivor Pop and Steve Ford all said that Beryl asked them to play at the jumble sale, they said yes in a heartbeat.
The Bubamara guys were selling their latest album, “Hash Houses of the Holy” with all proceeds going to the Ukraine appeal for that day (March 16).
Guru Boutique’s quirky, hippy-esque vibe continues to draw in locals as well as tourists and although Beryl insists she “isn't one for making plans”, one can but wonder what the future holds for this Darlington institution.
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