FREIDA MO’S ISN’T A CAFE, IT ISN’T A SHOP, IT’S SO MUCH MORE – SMALL AND PERFECTLY FORMED.
Lark Lane – a stretch of Liverpool land that needs no introduction. From solemn Tuesday morning coffees to big boozy parties – the lane has got and has seen it all. Not so long ago, a quaint shop that wouldn’t look out of place at Brighton Pier opened very softly but is now making big waves on the Bohemian street. Welcome to Freida Mo’s vintage store and bakery cafe.
A place built top to bottom by Sally Ayres, a woman who has spent the last 11 years immersing herself in the colourful corner of Liverpool’s vintage scene. Through the floral porch way and behind the purple door lays a cavern of fresh baked delights, handmade jewellery and vintage treasures run by an all female power house team headed up by owner Sally Ayres. For the first 8 months she worked there single handed but now she has had the privilege of hiring Gemma Scattgood, owner of Girl on Purl Action, as shop manager and the amazing Ophelia set to be a woman to watch.
Freida Mo’s is named after her 2 grandmothers Freida and Mo, short for Maureen. She figured why not name her shop after 2 women she adored. “Everything in store is from a local independent because being one myself I wanted to show my support and love for people just like me who have a dream and an idea. I get my coffee from 92 Degrees, tea from Sweet Pea and Little Wolf, I bake the cakes daily every day, bread is from The French Corner and bagels are from The Bagelry.” Vinyl is collected and sourced by Sally’s dad Paul Ayres who has expert knowledge in the field, Sally sources exquisite vintage dating back to the 1920s and makes most of the jewellery in store the soda is from our friends at Soda Works, and more.
The shop is also heavily community centred with the gates being locally nicknamed as “community gifting gates” as every Sunday any left over food & donated clothing are left out for anyone who might be in need. As of 9th March (International Women’s Day) Frieda Mo’s will also be a drop off point for The Hygiene Bank, accepting donations of toiletries for local causes since such items are not deemed as necessities by food banks. There will also be a big celebration on 17th March as the shop celebrates its first birthday.
Above her head is her colourful Flamingo Motel, her Uber colourful Air B&B which she rents out. Beneath her feet is everything she’s worked for and dreamed of – her own place to show off the best of the city’s independents all in one rather modest shop. Sally says it best: “Who’d have thought when I rocked up in The Pool 11 years ago with only a suitcase and a bright pink Mini Cooper with no job or friends that I’d now be trading on Lark Lane?! Small but amazing things.”