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If you take the trip to this far flung corner of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council you will come across a shop like no other. Set in the quiet village of Killyleagh, Brocante run by Ed Coulter may be small, but its shelves are stacked to overflowing with an incredible array of antique and vintage collectables. You could also call them 'Man Cave items' Coulter quips.
It would be well worth the 36 mile trip just to call in to this 'La Belle Epoque Emporium'. There's hundreds of scale model cars, a collection old 35mm cameras from classic manufacturers such as Minolta, Canon, Nikon and the occasional Russian model. There's also binoculars on offer.
You'll find motorcycling bits and bobs including vintage motorcycle clothing, leather jackets and helmets. You'll see vinyl records and a mountain of kitchenaelia. The shop also stocks vintage and reconditioned fishing gear from Penn, Mitchell, Daiwa and Abu. There really is something for everyone of all ages to find.
It's a labour of love for Coulter who enjoys the collecting and the chatting that goes with it. A former Typewritter Engineer, his love for the now vintage mechanical tool is manifested in his wonderful collection of them. He also services and supplies ribbons for anyone already with a typewriter. It's hard to believe this was the way official letters were written and documents were typed before the soul-less computer keyboard took over our lives.
Coulter explains "Typewriters are making a bit of a comeback with younger people who are kind of rediscovering things that aren't computer. " The same of course could be said for film cameras and vinyl records.
Brocante is at 18 High Street, Killyleagh. You can contact the shop at 07889 386344
