Farewell New Friend: The Closure of Pylones Leeds
A Post by Dee
With a week off from work and the niggling feeling that I was getting under Bryn’s feet, it seemed the perfect time to take a solo trip into the city for some retail fun.
Aimlessly wandering about town, I was really surprised and ecstatically happy to stumble upon a Leeds branch of Pylones. They are a great international brand who specialise in cute gifts and oddities. I had only recently discovered their unique chain of stores after a trip to Chester in which Bryn and I found ourselves sniggering at some of their more humorous items. I instantly fell in love with the store and Bryn had to physically push me out the door to prevent me from spending a small fortune there (I did however manage to get myself an adorable teal coloured female character spoon before being rudely exited).
Aimlessly wandering about town, I was really surprised and ecstatically happy to stumble upon a Leeds branch of Pylones. They are a great international brand who specialise in cute gifts and oddities. I had only recently discovered their unique chain of stores after a trip to Chester in which Bryn and I found ourselves sniggering at some of their more humorous items. I instantly fell in love with the store and Bryn had to physically push me out the door to prevent me from spending a small fortune there (I did however manage to get myself an adorable teal coloured female character spoon before being rudely exited).
How have I lived in Leeds this whole time without coming across this shop before?! Tragically, I don’t seem to be the only one who failed to notice it, as a banner bearing the words “Closing Down, 20% Off All Items” in the window suggests it could probably have done with some more publicity (although I have since found out that it has actually enjoyed many successful years at this location). With a hopeful tone in my voice I asked the shop assistant if they were merely moving location, but she confirmed my worst fear that after a few weeks, there would no longer be a Leeds branch.
With the polish of my excitement somewhat tarnished, it was with a heavy heart I browsed the shop, until I spotted the cute piggy toothbrush holder. With a silly and rather unjustified grin on my face, I grabbed it from the shelf and knew it would be coming home with me – love at first sight! What’s more is that next to it was an elephant toothbrush holder for Bryn. I have a history of buying elephants for my boyfriend, beginning with a carved wooden one from India which has inadvertently developed into our house becoming a home for an assorted range of elephant pictures and ornaments (although I feel a need to point out that Bryn encouraged most of these himself, I have always tried to resist filling the house up with them).
Finding the toothbrush holders was a relief, I’ve been using the same old dull blue one from Boots for years, and we were both in need of some for an upcoming holiday. Determined not to buy out all their remaining stock (20% off people!), I donned some mental blinkers and made my way to the till. Then I spotted a frog faced shower cap. And a squirrel handled rice spoon. Oh my gosh, I gotta get out of here! Once back home I showed my purchases to Bryn, who was pleased I managed to show some restraint and limit my buying to only a handful of items. We had a good giggle as I cat-walked my new shower cap for him (easily my fav item of the lot) and made some space in the bathroom for our new residents. R.I.P Pylones Leeds, our relationship was all too brief. Having just found you, I must now bid you farewell (sob, sob). I shall forever stalk your website. xx |