Ten years of Hamiedog: the people who made it possible

Today marks ten years since we unlocked the door to Hamiedog for the very first time. Back then, we had no idea what the next decade would hold. We had hopes, ideas and plenty of nerves - but, if we're honest, we never imagined the journey that would follow.

Over the last ten years thousands of people have walked through our door. Some visited once. Some became regulars. Some have been with us from the very beginning and continue to support us to this day. That loyalty is something we will never take for granted.

Today's anniversary isn't really about us - it's about every single person who has helped keep Hamiedog going.

It's about the customers who chose to spend their money with a small independent business when they could have gone anywhere else.

It's about the people who have followed us on social media, shared our posts, recommended us to their friends, left kind comments and helped spread the word.

It's about every customer who has bought a t-shirt, a jumper, a pair of jeans or even just a pair of socks over the last ten years.

It's about the local men who volunteered their own time to model our clothing for photoshoots and campaigns. What started as people helping us out became friendships that lasted for years. Their support has been far greater than simply standing in front of a camera.

And it's about our community as a whole, because independent shops simply do not survive for ten years without one.

The truth is that the last decade has not been easy

Like every independent retailer, we've faced challenges that seemed impossible at the time.

We lived through the uncertainty of Covid, when our doors were forced to shut while many larger retailers such as supermarkets were still allowed to sell clothing. It was a frustrating and worrying time, and like so many other small businesses we didn't know what the future looked like.

What we do remember though, is the incredible support we received when we were allowed to operate online. We remember customers placing orders and queuing outside to collect them. We remember the messages of encouragement. We remember people making a concious choice to support local businesses when they know those businesses needed help most.

We'll never forget that.

A few years later we faced another challenge much closer to home when Maz suffered a heart attack. Understandably, everything else suddenly became far less important.

We adjusted our opening hours, took things day by day, and focused on what mattered most - her recovery. Many customers understood immediately. The kindness, patience and concern shown to us during that period meant far more than prople probably realised.

Thankfully, Maz returned, and the shop carried on.

But moments like these remind you that behind every independent business are real people trying to navigate real life.

The reality is that independent retail remains incredibly difficult

In many ways it gets harder each year.

There are days when the shop is busy and full of conversation. There are days when people pop in just to say hello. There are days that remind us exactly why we started this business.

But there are also days when nobody comes through the door. Days when not a single sale is made. Days when you sit and wonder how many more challenging months lie ahead, and whether carrying on is the right thing to do.

We suspect that many independent retailers know exactly what this feels like.

So while today is a celebration, it's also a moment of honesty

Reaching ten years doesn't mean everything has been easy. It doesn't mean the future is guaranteed. It simply means that, somehow, through all of the ups and downs, enough people continued to believe in what we do.

For that, we are incredibly grateful.

Ten years after opening the door for the first time, we're still here.

Still welcoming customers. Still having conversations. Still trying our best. And none of it would have been possible without you.

Whether you have shopped with us once or a hundred times, liked a post, shared a recommendation, modelled for us, stopped by for a chat, or supported us quietly from afar, you have played a part in our story.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

Here's to ten years of Hamiedog, and to everyone who has made those ten years possible.