Over 45 Years in One Shop. Stories from Aladdin’s Cave

Not many shops last five years these days, let alone forty-five.

Tucked away in the historic Queen’s Arcade in Leeds, our little den of jewellery has stayed the course since the early 1980s. The world outside has changed, dramatically so. But inside these walls? It still hums with stories.

My grandparents, Sheila and Peter Isaacs, opened Aladdin’s Cave over four decades ago. Back then, it was even more of a hidden gem—brimming with silver lockets, signet rings, and all the little treasures they loved sourcing. They were magpies for beauty and craftsmanship. And what started as a passion quickly became a family legacy.

We haven’t moved from our spot since. Our shop is still nestled in the same arcade, surrounded by the same beautiful architecture, even as the rest of the city transforms around us.

It’s not the sleekest place. It’s not minimal or modern. It’s ours. With cabinets stacked high, old paintings, and silver ornaments tucked between antique rings and brooches, the shop has character—and soul.

Some customers have walked through our doors for decades. We’ve seen engagement rings picked, wedding gifts bought, and anniversary presents wrapped. We’ve seen babies born and grow up to become our next customers. One couple told us, “You sold us our engagement ring in 1986. We’re buying one for our daughter now.”

Every morning, we set out  the shop window like a daily ritual. It takes time, about an hour and a half. But there’s something comforting about it. Gold on one side, silver on the other, catching up with each other about life as we meticulously add to the display.

And yes, things have changed; Footfall has dropped. Construction has taken over the surrounding area. But we survived the recession and Covid –  we’ve learnt to adapt with a website, Instagram, Etsy, and a growing community that supports us beyond the city.

Now, it’s me, my mum Roberta, my auntie Debbie, and a few incredible women who keep it all running. We don’t sell fast fashion. We sell slow stories. Pieces that have lasted decades and deserve to last decades more.

We’re not here to grow big fast. We’re here to help people find their piece. The one that stops them in their tracks. The one they’ll wear for a lifetime—or pass down to someone they love.