Muscrats Vintage & Handcrafted is a showcase of Melbourne’s finest homewares, beauty products, clothes, jewellery and accessories.

Sisters Nicole and Caitlin Muscat have a background in photography and textile design. They got their start selling vintage clothes at markets, then at a “pop-up” site (which lasted four years) before reopening across from Dench Bakers in 2014.

Not much of that history is evident in the clean, bright boutique. It stocks Kester Black nail polish, Fitzroy-made Milton and Ashby children’s toys, eye-popping earrings from Martha Jean, and quirky men’s ties from The Brothers at OTAA. The sisters also sell Rollas Jeans; and Pop & Scott pots double as a colourful window display.

These days the vintage element is small. Apart from menswear and dresses, there’s a selection of haoris and kimonos rescued from Japan.

The Muscats’ father helped to reinvigorate what was once a dingy office. It’s simple in design with copper hangers and wooden shelves, but the devil is in the detail. Two change-rooms are big enough to fit a pram to accommodate families. The windows’ former tint has been eliminated to let in as much light as possible.