We recently asked Antoine Rondelet, a London-based entrepreneur in circular retail, about his attitude towards charity shopping and which was his favourite charity shop.
For anyone unfamiliar with Antoine, he is the founder of Ganddee (with 2 d’s and 2 e’s), a marketplace connecting shoppers to local second-hand shops across the UK. He believes that communities are at the centre of the sustainability debate and built his platform to empower local second-hand retailers, particularly charity shops, by helping them reach more customers.
I grew up in the south region of Paris and used to go to brocantes with my parents very regularly—either to buy second-hand items like clothes, toys, or Pokémon cards, or sometimes to sell our own bits too. I was taking part in second-hand sales long before it was trendy—making pocket money and helping my parents declutter.
Second-hand shopping has always just been part of life for me. I’m the youngest of three, so hand-me-downs were the norm, and when I moved to the UK, I naturally gravitated towards charity shops, car boot sales and flea markets.
I’ve discovered so many brilliant shops over the years, but if I had to choose a favourite, I’d probably go for Upmarket near Rotherhithe. It’s small, proper community-driven, and a bit chaotic in the best way—perfect for when I’m in the mood for a real rummage. I love that feeling of never quite knowing what you’ll find.
For something a bit more curated, I also really like the Crisis shop in Finsbury Park. It doubles as a local hub where you can grab a coffee, and the layout is more boutique-style. It’s on the pricier side, but the vibe is great—similar to the Paper & Cup x SCT shop in Shoreditch, just a bit bigger.
My favourite charity shop really depends on my mood. Sometimes I want a quiet browse and a latte, sometimes I want to get stuck in and treasure hunt. London’s second-hand scene lets me do both.
This article was taken from the ‘My Favourite Charity Shop’ section of our newsletter. To sign up, scroll to the bottom of our website!
Follow Antoine on instagram here.
