Pineapple Ice Bucket - No longer need you live in fear of Retro!!

Sophie Crockett, of Pineapple Ice Bucket based in Brockenhurst, can be described as no less than a retro fanatic!

Two and a half years ago, when Sophie decided to take residence in her mother’s antique store, Squirrels, on the Lyndhurst Road she chose to pursue her dream and lifestyle and is now one of the lucky few who can truly say that she loves her job (I too am, of course, fortunate like this – take note Jan!) and enjoys a Monday morning!

Pineapple Ice Bucket is, rightly so, a Mecca for all things retro and stocks all the best bits from the 1950s to the 1970s. All stock is 100% genuine and restored lovingly by Sophie’s own hands if required. Plus, devoted as Sophie is, anything you are seeking its no job too large...and Sophie will try her hardest to source such items.

It is impossible for me to write about all of the gems that make up Sophie’s thriving business though some of the best, I feel, are worth individual mentions and the rest can be found at her store or on her website (CLICK HERE).

One of the main focuses of Pineapple Ice Bucket is to make ‘retro’ accessible to all. It doesn’t mean spending hundreds of pounds, or living with brightly coloured Bakelite accessories, one of the bestsellers at the shop are the huge array of retro plates that are housed there, ranging from £5 - 15. From lesser known designers, such as the coastal and sailing images of Alfred Meakin (right), to the ‘homemaker plate’ (left) made by Ridgeway and retailed by Woolworths in the 1950s and 60s there are several plates that I simply fell in love with and instantly understood the desire for collecting such items.

At the time of visiting, Sophie was lucky to have, what I’m assured is a collectors dream, not one but two pieces of highly collectable Whitefriars Glassware. The brightly coloured, and hugely textured glassware is beautiful, practical and fun. I definitely think that the ‘Drunken Bricklayer’ (right) is worth a mention!

The wall of Starburst clocks (below), one of those items that is perhaps not for the retro faint-hearted, will draw anybody’s attention.

The final mention must, of course, go to the shop’s name-sake, the pineapple ice bucket. An iconic piece from 1970’s this attracts many people to the website and shop. This fun item of retro home ware is, again, for the retro ‘hard-core’ but would brighten up anyone’s cocktail party. Sophie assures us that she has a complete fruit bowl at home.

Moving forwards in Sophie’s grand plan is an imminent clothing sale (Watch this space, we will be sure to tell you details!) and the publication of her first book, detailing the designs of Alfred Meakin pottery, which has never previously been explored. Just meeting with Sophie, and hearing a little about her store and thriving online business, it is instantly recognisable that she gains sheer delight from dealing in what she does and will continue to do so for many years to come. Sophie, I take my hat off to you, for your knowledge and determination....I already know so much more about retro and, most importantly of all, have the desire to learn and am no longer scared of retro!! HM

Pineapple Ice Bucket, Squirrels, Lyndhurst Road, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, SO42 7RL

Tel: 01590 622433

Email: RETRO_PINEAPPLE@MSN.COM

Website: www.pinappleicebucket.co.uk