HOTCAKES is an independent, on-shore tax paying business, and real living wage employer.

It started out on a market stall with Sam clearing out her wardrobe to cover the bills. She enjoyed selling nice things to good people so she took on a little shop, hand making much of her stock, flipping vintage finds, and ‘giving it 6 months’.

Things escalated, the business evolved. HOTCAKES is now a team effort and we’ve been making people in the happy valley smile for over 15 years.

HOTCAKES carefully curates design-led gifts, stationery, music merchandise, thoughtful, colourful, fun and functional things that we love, and superb quality hand-picked sustainable vintage clothing.  Somehow we still marry all these things together within the same small space.  

We love art and design, we’re colour, print, and music junkies, we’ve a fondness for the left of field, we don’t like being pigeon-holed, and we’re passionate about preloved, kind, and sustainable fashion.  

Everything is connected* The clothes we wear remaining within the chain of utility, with the added punk ethic of wearing what you want, and exploring and expressing your own individuality is core to our business. Re-use and recycled is high on the agenda here, prior to HOTCAKES Sam founded one of the UK’s first not-for-profit eco nappy laundry projects, advocating for a reduction in waste, oil use, and carbon emissions. Our younger team members are the new generation of environmentally conscious consumers. 

HOTCAKES curates something a little different, supporting and showcasing independent creatives wherever we can, and contributing to the unique experience of shopping in a town full of amazing independent retailers who genuinely put their heart and soul into their enterprises. It’s an honour to trade within, employ within, and feel enduringly uplifted by the Calder Valley community. 

Did we mention the word ‘curate’? A simple word for a huge amount of thought and energy involved. That there is the difference between faceless retail giants and us small independents.

Enjoy our online store, and don’t forget to pop in and for a warm welcome when you’re next mooching around Hebden Bridge shops.

With love,

Nina, Maya, Catherine, Naomi, Sam, Pete

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*the global fashion industry contributes 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions (source: United Nations).

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| inset image: Vintage Thea Porter Butterfly Print Dress circa 1970’s.