Ruby Francis

Ruby Francis is a vintage clothing shop on Cherokee Street, and one of the businesses that make the Row a place to buy clothes as well as furniture.

It belongs to Stephanie Larimer, who opened it on the street in 2015 and lives in the flat above it – which is worth mentioning, because it says something about the kind of commitment this street runs on. She has been an advocate for Cherokee Street ever since.

Vintage makes up most of the stock, and the shop takes particular pride in its vintage deadstock: pieces that are genuinely old but have never been worn, still as they left the factory. Finding those in quantity takes patience and a good eye, and it is what separates a curated vintage shop from a rail of second-hand clothes.

Alongside the vintage there are locally made accessories and clothing – one-off jewellery, striking sunglasses, and work by makers from around the city. The room itself is warm and welcoming rather than intimidating, which cannot be said of every vintage shop.

Ruby Francis stands at 2310 Cherokee Street, in the middle of Cherokee Antique Row, a few doors from Retro 101 and the other vintage dealers – which makes this block the natural place to start for anyone shopping for clothes rather than for the house.