Vacalola in Horsham
Vacalola is an independent fashion outlet specialising in shoes and clothes for children. Founded in 2018 by mother-of-two Raquel Adrados, the business has survived some challenging times. Here, Raquel talks about her journey and why she hopes that brighter days lie ahead…
Spanish Acquisition
I used to buy shoes for my children from Jones the Bootmaker in West Street, until they stopped offering a children’s range. After that, I bought them online from Spain, as the quality is excellent and shoes are designed to last. I thought that there must be other parents who would like the same designs, as they’re different to what was available elsewhere in Horsham, so I decided to open a shop.
Window Shopping
I started out in a small unit opposite Horsham Library. It was an unusual location, but I wanted to see if there was much demand. Fortunately, enough people came in for us to steadily grow. We moved to Swan Walk and were there for two years before finding a new location in the Carfax. Some customers have followed us throughout our entire journey.
Loco for Lola
I lived in Spain before settling in Horsham with my family 10 years ago. I travelled a lot when I was younger and gained experience in several industries. I worked for Louis Vuitton and Zara, so know about fashion and merchandising, and also managed budgets for the film and TV industry, which has helped me with financial aspects of the retail business. I also worked as a teacher in Spain, as I love children. So, opening a clothing store for children combines two of my great passions. Vaca Lola translates as Lola the Cow. There’s a children's song about Lola in Spain, which has since been translated into English. One of my children had a soft toy of a cow when he was little, and I based the company logo on that.
Size Matters
Our clothing range has gradually expanded to what it is now. We cater for new-borns up to about 14 years old, although most of our clothes are for children up to nine, with just a small selection for older children. We go up to size 8 in school shoes, as some boys have big feet. We stock good quality footwear by brands such as Petasil, Lelli-Kelly, Go Bananas, Garvalin, Geox, Hummel, Camper and Biomecanics. We also have Froddo, made in Croatia, as they’re eye-catching, affordable and made to last a long time. We always look for quality at the right price.
The Four Seasons
Clothing brands include Mayoral, who come up with bright and fun designs for every season; Emile et Rose, which supplies beautiful outfits and accessories for babies; Hatley, a Canadian brand that makes excellent and affordable rainwear; and Sarah Louise, who makes traditional dresses that are perfect for special occasions. We always bring in new stock for spring and summer, then again for the autumn and winter seasons.
Tough Times
Running a clothes shop was always going to be challenging, especially as English is not my first language. But we haven’t been very lucky over the past five years. First, we had Brexit. Although it was on the horizon from the outset, I hadn’t anticipated the impact it would have on importing from the continent. Then we had Covid! We adapted and increased our online presence thanks to a LEAP grant from Horsham District Council. When it comes to children’s shoes, you really need to measure feet properly and have them try shoes on to find the perfect pair. Obviously, we couldn’t do that in the shop, so focused on internet sales instead. As I couldn’t enter people’s homes, I sometimes left shoes on doorsteps for parents to take inside for their children to try on while I waited!
Whatever the Weather
In many ways, retail is harder now than it was during Covid. At least then we had help from the government through rate relief, furlough and other support schemes. Although the Council is still very supportive, most of the help has gone, yet footfall in town centres hasn’t returned to how it was pre-pandemic. We have a cost-of-living crisis too, and people are not always spending in the way they would like to. The weather doesn’t help! We joke about how it always rains in England, but it makes a big difference when the sun shines!
Parental Guidance
After a testing time, we are happy to continue as we are for now, without thinking much about expanding. There is a strong, friendly business community in the Carfax, especially on market days, and it’s great being at the heart of town. The good news is that we have proved we can adapt, and customers know we offer an excellent service. We really do go above and beyond to find what they’re looking for. As a parent, I have first-hand experience and knowledge of the products, as I have chosen them myself, which makes a difference too. Everyone wants the best for our children and I do my best to find those things and bring them to Horsham.
Words: Ben Morris / Photos: Alan Wright
This article was first published on 2nd April 2023.
Visit Vacalola at Richmond House, 13 Carfax (opposite entrance to Swan Walk), Horsham or visit:
