Mr Beaujangles was a fashion boutique dreamt up by Dundee businessman, Ian Dand.
His first store opened in the Overgate in November 1973, with well known Scottish DJ, Stuart Henry, doing the opening ceremony. That was soon followed by shops opening in Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
The stores were targeting the 16 to 25 age group and closely followed the latest London fashion styles.
Mr Beaujangles also came up with the novel idea of having go-go dancers perform in cages at weekends, to attract custom.
Later, 2 more shops were added to the Dundee collection - one in the Wellgate and another in Commercial Street. However, when all 3 stores were operating at a later stage, they dropped the "Mr" part from their business name and just settled for being called "Beaujangles". The main reason for this was that they introduced a female clothing section, thus becoming unisex stores.
However, it all crashed to a halt in April 1982 when Beaujangles closed its doors for good.
The top image is how the shop looked in 1978 in the Overgate when it was still called "Mr Beaujangles" and so too the shop carrier bag from the same era.
I remember the Go-Go dancer in the cage hanging from the ceiling in the Overgate shop...doesn't everybody!
ReplyDeleteI remember this shop in Aberdeen and they had the Go-Go dancers as well.
DeleteI bought loads of great clothes here, in particular a spangly silver and black jumper- mine was bought and worn in the mid 70's however, years later (early 80's )a similar one was worn by Mark E Smith of the Fall
ReplyDeletedont know why but this shop freaked me right out - the thought of it still scares me slightly!
ReplyDeleteIf memory serves, the Overgate shop was opened by Radio 1 DJ, Stuart Henry (RIP). There's one of the ex go-go dancer works in my office.
ReplyDeleteMy aunt was one of the go-go dancers!
ReplyDeleteI was the go-go dancer who did the opening of Beaujangles. Stuart Hendry spun the discs. He actually mentioned the event (including me) on his Radio Luxembourg show that same night.
ReplyDeletelol @ margaret my hubby remembers you he was the son of Ian dand the owner
ReplyDeleteYour hubby must be called John. My cousin, Ian Dand, and myself opened "Mr. Beaujangles in the Overgate in 1973. I came up with the idea and Ian and myself masterminded the concept until we ended up with ten stores stretching from Aberdeen to St.Helier in Jersey.
DeleteGood times.
Dainty
DeleteI was one of the 2 GoGo dancers who danced in Beaujangles in 1972 we dance there on Saturdays. We went down to Edinburgh to dance at the opening of their new shop. Billy Connolly opened the shop. Liz Thomson
ReplyDeleteI remember Liz she danced every Saturday. I was one of the many males who stood staring at her until I was evicted for not buying anything. I still remember those legs!!!
ReplyDeleteBryan
My granny fisken stayed in the old over gate remember the chestnuts being cooked at Christmas ,all the stands and the sasprella shop,always a great time was had
ReplyDelete"Serendipity" for sure. I was looking for any information on Outpost - an old haunt of mine in the 70's and I found this Amazing Blog!!!!!! This is a total Gem. Feels like I have just got into a time machine and being transported back to my misspent Youth. I spent every Saturday in town with my sister and friends. We were gobsmacked when we saw the Go Go Dancers, felt like being on TO.T.P.'s and watching Pans People. Can't wait to check out the rest of the Posts and have a Trip down Memory Lane.
ReplyDeletewasn't there one on Kirkcaldy high street ?
ReplyDeleteYes, and on the outside wall was a huge sihllouett plastic cut out of the dude with the hat... mr B. I always wanted that cut out for my bedroom wall. :-)
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing the dancer through the window of the Overgate branch, aged nine. Then getting a thick ear from my mum, for going back for a second look.
ReplyDeleteI was the manager in the Jersey shop. Thoroughly enjoyed working with Ian and Graham.
ReplyDeleteLived it and lived it
I painted the silhouette of Mr B on one of the office wall one day. Just for fun.
Should have said:
ReplyDeleteLived it and loved it.
I remember Mr Beaujangles in Jersey when I was a child in the 1970s. Shame it didn't cater for kids else I'd have been in there often.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Ian Dand I was involved with my cousin Graham in starting Mr Beaujangles
ReplyDeleteMy Cousin died two years ago sadly
It was great fun for a young man