Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Pollokshaws Road you’ll find what some are calling “Shawland’s answer to Ashton Lane“that is The Cooperage. Located at the end of a narrow cobbled lane with colourful murals on either side, you’ll find a suntrap of a courtyard, as well as a renovated whisky barrel factory home to a number of independent businesses.
The retail and creative hub, has quite the impressive offering for visitors whether you want to update your wardrobe sustainably or simply fancy a bite to eat. The noise from the main road quickly disappears as though you’re no longer in Glasgow and you enter a tranquil space filled with independent shops, food outlets and relaxed outdoor seating. All in one place you’ll find businesses ranging from vintage clothes and furniture shops, fashion boutiques, a vegan BYOB deli, a tattoo parlour, a homeware store and an accountants. Plus, every Saturday, 11am-4pm, the Shawlands space hosts a pop-up market in the courtyard featuring a selection of fantastic small businesses and creative stalls.
One of the latest additions to The Cooperage is Rudan, which is run by Blair Scott and Taylor Wilson who set up a permanent shop in September, and it sells ethical clothing, plants and other nice things carefully sourced and lovingly made by Taylor in the shop. Rudan uses ethically sourced fabrics like organic cotton or bamboo silk, and the owners regenerate furniture from what they’ve sourced themselves. However, if feasting is more your passion than fashion, The Cooperage also houses Vivi’s Deli, which is a 100% vegan venue and also has a stall on market days. Their menu offers plant-based alternatives to your favourite comfort foods like Buffalo ‘chicken’ mac and cheese, which consists of white miso and smoked cheddar macaroni topped with marinated buffalo ‘chicken’, chipotle chilli flakes and a flaming hot panko crumb.
Other dishes from Vivi’s Deli include a nacho crumbed Korean sweet potato and bean burger, baby jackfruit bahn mi and grilled Berlin-style hot dogs. Plus, if you’re after a little snack, the patatas bravas by Vivi’s Deli are delicious- roasted rosemary baby potatoes topped with a rich tomato sugo, chopped spring onion and vegan sour cream. Down this wee unassuming lane is not only a place to browse and purchase food, clothes and homewares, but you’ll also find a sense of community. Each of the resident businesses share the same ethos that champions sustainability and support one another, hence they started hosting their weekly markets and record fairs in order to help showcase other local crafters and artists. Find out about their latest markets and more about the sellers popping up here. The Cooperage, 674 Pollokshaws Road, G41 2QE