Adelaide’s vintage scene just got a whole lot cooler with ‘My Dead Grandpa’, a sprawling 900-square-metre treasure trove that’s part antique store, part rock concert, and 100% pure vintage chaos. Home to more than 50 of the city’s top vintage vendors, My Dead Grandpa is sure to be a haven for lovers of retro fashion, furniture, vinyl records, toys, and collectibles – essentially, everything your grandpa might have hoarded if he had a taste for what’s cool.
“My siblings and I have a history in buying and selling vintage, and after exploring an awesome vintage marketplace in Melbourne, we thought we need one of these in Adelaide,” shared Director Ben Troup.
“Here there are lots of great weekend markets but no permanent through-the-week venue for sellers who want to sell during the week. That’s what we’ll be doing differently.”
Unlike your average second-hand market, My Dead Grandpa prides itself on authenticity and a sense of fun. Every item on offer is at least 15 years old, ensuring no fast fashion or knock-offs make the cut. Instead, shoppers will find genuine pieces packed with character and history, alongside a cheeky dose of nostalgia, humour, and rock music.
The vibe is part of the charm. With ironic tees, quirky collectibles, and vinyl tunes pumping through a wall of vintage TVs, it’s more than a shopping experience – it’s a journey back in time. The venue’s playful energy is reflected in its irreverent signage, like the floor decal that reads, “Oh sh*t, I think that’s my grandpa’s”.
As for the name, Ben explained that after months of deliberation ‘My Dead Grandpa’ was suggested to them by a consultant, who used to distress jeans under the same name.
“We were working with a consultant and he randomly said off the cuff ‘Back in the day when I used to distress jeans, I used to call my jean company My Dead Grandpa. I Don’t use it anymore, do you want it?’ I thought it was the worst name I’ve ever heard in my life, I hated it so much that I loved it,” shared Ben.
The name has caused some controversy online, but Ben says “Our intention was never to offend people, death is a sensitive subject, but I’m not afraid of the idea of death, I think it is part of life. I understand that some people may be sensitive, but when you’re working with old things you need to acknowledge prior owners and the way they are not necessarily with us today. The name to us is really about respecting the story behind the items we’re selling.”
For Adelaide locals and visitors alike, My Dead Grandpa will be a unique experience where the past comes to life, and good times are always in stock.
My Dead Grandpa
Where: 10-16 Ranelagh St, Adelaide SA 5000
When: Opening February
Instagram: @mydeadgrandpa.adl
For more information, click here.
More News
