My Dead Grandpa defends name of new Adelaide vintage warehouse

The creatives behind a new vintage warehouse that will be the first of its kind in Adelaide have defended the name of their venture while critics claim it is “insensitive”.

A new vintage warehouse to open in Adelaide has sparked controversy for its name but the creatives behind the venture insist no offence was intended.

My Dead Grandpa will offer vintage and retro marketers a permanent venue to sell their goods in a revamped vacant carpark off Ranelagh St in the city.

Early critics have condemned the name as “insensitive” and “offensive”, with some vowing to boycott it months before it’s anticipated opening in February.

“I love vintage shopping with my Dad. He’s in his 70s and a Grandpa. He has a huge knowledge of all things vintage and antique,” one Reddit user wrote.

“If this was named anything else, it sounds like it would be a regular visit for us.

But I won’t be taking him here. It would really upset him. He thinks about the end of his life a lot.”

Owners Isaac Troup, Esther Troup and Benjamin Troup showing off a collection of vintage clothes at the carpark on Ranelagh St where My Dead Grandpa will begin operating from in February 2025. Picture: Matt Loxton

But director Benjamin Troup is hopeful once people learn the story behind it, they will embrace the idea.

My Dead Grandpa will be the first of its kind in Adelaide, housing 46 different businesses and market sellers in a 900sq m warehouse specialising in vintage and retro goods and clothing.

Mr Troup said the controversial name was a nod to the previous life of the clothes to be sold.

“Within the vintage scene and in the context of being vintage, the name makes a lot more sense,” Mr Troup said.

“If it was a coffee shop, calling yourself that wouldn’t make sense.

“But it is reminiscent of the fact that if you’re interested in retro and vintage clothing, the fact is you’re wearing somebody else’s clothes.

“It’s one thing to wear somebody else’s clothes but you’re also wearing the story of somebody else – the story of a bygone era.”

My Dead Grandpa will be the second venture for Mr Troup and his two siblings Isaac Troup, 23, and Esther Troup, 19, who launched Vintage Pizza in 2021 after several years in the industry.

“We’re confident that when people really get a hold of who we are and understand we’re not just young punk people wanting to do something outrageous and mean, and get a hold of what it means to cherish other people’s stories, the initial shock might wear off and they might choose to love the name like we do,” he said.

“I have a passed grandpa and a live grandpa, and live grandpa is on his last legs but he’s lived a long and beautiful life.

Isaac Troup, Esther Troup and Benjamin Troup said their store name was not intended to be offensive. Picture: Matt Loxton

“I can’t call it My Dead Grandpa without his blessing, and he loved the idea.

“We talked to a good couple of grandpas about the name and they love it, but we do want to be sensitive to other people.”

The trio hopes to launch in February next year. Under the business model, retailers will pay My Dead Grandpa a weekly fee to operate out of the warehouse six days a week.

“We’ve got 46 different businesses at this point but we have room to expand and we’re creating a storefront for them,” Mr Troup said.

“It’s very difficult for them to have their own brick and mortar store.

“As a business we deal with all the overheads and we give the small businesses just a single weekly fee they pay so it’s cheaper than if they were to be employing a person for a day.

“All together in a large space means it will be a destination store.”

Originally published as My Dead Grandpa defends name of new Adelaide vintage warehouse