The Bust Stop moves on to Dumfries High Street
The Bust Stop owner Julie Langlands with customer Andie McDonald in the shop at 109 High Street
Julie Langlands strives to create a unique experience for every client who calls in to The Bust Stop.
And, in her independent lingerie, swimwear and nightwear shop’s new home on Dumfries High Street, she is bringing her friendly, personalised service to growing numbers of shoppers.
The Bust Stop has been trading for four years, but only recently moved into its new home, in one of Midsteeple Quarter’s community-owned buildings, number 109.
“It’s amazing to have somewhere on the High Street,” said Julie. “Footfall has already increased and the response from the public has been really positive.
“Some people have discovered us who did not realise before that we were in the town.”
For Julie, The Bust Stop is about more than a shop. Among her loyal - and growing - customer base, she is creating a community.
Not only do people pop in for a purchase or a bra-fitting, they call by for a chat, a culture that the owner hopes to build on in her enterprise’s new location.
“I want shopping here to be an experience,” Julie, a former psychiatric nurse who previously had her business in Bank Street, said.
“We’re really big on helping our customers to build their body confidence and self-esteem. That’s a fantastic benefit of what we do here. We want women to really feel empowered. It really helps the community.
“I love it. I love getting to know people. I get so much enjoyment out of working with my customers.”
Part of Julie’s work is to encourage positive body confidence and improved self-esteem among clients
The Bust Stop also has ranges which support women who have undergone a mastectomy while being treated for breast cancer.
“Without us being here, they would otherwise have to travel to Glasgow or elsewhere outside of the region,” Julie, who was born and raised in Dumfries but also lived in Australia for 32 years, added.
“They feel so much better because we have good products here, which are really nice.”
The Bust Stop caters for any size or shape, with lines including some imported from Australia and which are not available elsewhere.
Julie is also an artist and the shop doubles as a showcase for many of her paintings, adding to the colourful and unique experience for customers.
Her arrival in 109 High Street has come at a busy time in Midsteeple Quarter.
In neighbouring 111 High Street, Leah Halliday is preparing for the festive season at Flourish, on the ground floor, while a number of other new tenants have also moved into the building.
The Smithy, at 113 High Street, has a busy run of bookings for the rest of the year and The Press - at 117 High Street - has been transformed into an events hub for Big Burns Supper.
Meanwhile, the first residents have moved into the flats at 137 High Street - The Standard - following the completion of construction there, with community groups, enterprises and other organisations poised to begin using its enterprise and events spaces, both for standalone events and longer-term uses.
Midsteeple Quarter enterprise manager Jakob Kaye said: “This is a really exciting time for us and we’re delighted to have Julie join us for the journey.
“The Bust Stop is a fantastic addition to the High Street. This is exactly the type of opportunity that we want to help create for local enterprises, retaining unique and important experiences and services in our community.”
It is a busy and exciting time in Midsteeple Quarter’s community-owned Dumfries High Street buildings. To find out more about the opportunities to work with us and use our buildings, please email enterprise@midsteeplequarter.org