Every item at Past Lives has already lived at least one life.
A vintage leather jacket. A perfectly worn pair of jeans. A statement piece waiting to be discovered by someone new.
That’s part of what makes the shop special.
But the name Past Lives isn’t just about the clothing.
For owner Alex Ure, it’s a reflection of something bigger: the idea that people, places, and things are always evolving into something new.
Since opening in 2023, Past Lives has become a destination for thoughtfully curated vintage clothing, local makers, and community events. What began on Somerset Street has recently entered a new chapter at its new home on Nepean Street, continuing its mission of making style more sustainable, personal, and accessible.
Vintage shopping can sometimes feel intimidating.
At Past Lives, Alex wants the opposite.
“Vintage shopping should feel approachable, not intimidating,” she says.
The shop is designed to encourage curiosity. To invite people to slow down, browse, and discover pieces that feel uniquely their own.
Every item has a story. Every rack holds something different. No two visits are exactly alike.
For Alex, clothing is about more than trends.
“Clothing is one of the few creative rituals we all engage with every day,” she says.
It’s a simple idea, but one that shapes the entire experience. The shop becomes less about shopping and more about self-expression – a place where people can experiment, explore, and reconnect with their personal style.
Like many small businesses, Past Lives began during the pandemic.
At the time, Alex was teaching yoga full-time. When that industry was heavily impacted, she started selling vintage clothing online as a creative outlet and a way to earn extra income.
What started as a side project quickly grew into something more.
Today, Past Lives brings together many of the things Alex cares most about: sustainability, fashion, community, and creativity.
Owning a business has also taught her an important lesson.
“The only constant is change.”
It’s a philosophy that feels particularly fitting for a business built around secondhand goods.
Just when things seem figured out, circumstances shift. New challenges emerge. Opportunities appear unexpectedly. Through it all, Alex has learned to trust her instincts, stay flexible, and embrace the process.
In many ways, the story of Past Lives is one of reinvention – not just for clothing, but for people too.
Past Lives is more than a vintage shop.
It’s also a space for connection.
The store regularly hosts workshops, pop-ups, community events, and collaborations that bring people together through fashion, art, and shared experiences.
Inside the shop, visitors will also find products from 17 local women- and queer-owned businesses, creating opportunities for local makers to share their work alongside the vintage collection.
Even the details reflect the shop’s values.
The racks, tables, displays, and shopping bags are secondhand. Clothing sizes are organized using different coloured hangers to make browsing easier and more accessible. Every decision is designed to support a mission rooted in sustainability, connection, and integrity.
That commitment extends beyond the walls of the shop.
One of Alex’s favourite things about Centretown is the way businesses support one another.
“It truly feels like we’re all in this together,” she says. “We all recommend each other’s businesses, show up to each other’s events, and hold each other to a high standard.”
That collaborative spirit has helped shape both the business and the community around it.
Built on Small Business is about more than longevity.
It’s about care. Craft. Responsibility. Long-term commitment.
It’s about businesses that understand they don’t exist in isolation – that they’re part of a neighbourhood ecosystem, shaped by and shaping the people around them.
Centretown runs on places like Past Lives.
Places that see possibility where others might not.
In a vintage jacket. In a handmade product. In a creative idea. In a new chapter.
Places that remind us that reinvention isn’t about starting over. It’s about finding new life in what already exists.
And in Centretown, it’s built on giving things a second life.
Photos by the amazing Nicolai Gregory – @nicolaipgregory
