Retail Therapy

Store: The Green Room
Owner: Elmarie Van Heerden
Established: September 2009
Location: Our main retail shop is located at Slipway, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We have a design studio as well as smaller lodge shops on Mafia Island, Zanzibar and Game reserves in Tanzania. 

How would you describe your stores style? We are a design company with a conscience. Creating everyday objects inspired by sunshine, sea and nature.

What sets your store apart from other stores? We are the ONLY business doing what we do in Tanzania. We are very lucky like that. We celebrate sunshine and coastal living, whereas the other shops mainly retail african crafts. We look for happy, quirky, inspiring pieces and source globally. 

Where can we find you online?
Website: www.thegreenroomtz.com
Blog: Blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegreenroomtanzania
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/greenroomtz/

Retail Therapy.

Store: Firefly & Kid Firefly
Name: Erinn Berkson
Established: 1999
Location: Firefly, 1409 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291
                   Kid Firefly, 1405 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291

How would you describe your store style? Firefly is a destination for a well curated mix of all sorts of coveted treasures from clothing, accessories, gifts, novelty and home decor, with an excellent selection of greetings cards and staitionery. It's a collection of all the things I personally love. It ranges from warm and cozy to modern with an edgy sense of humour.

What sets your shop apart? I think what sets me apart from others is Firefly's authenticity. You can really get a sense of me in the store as I am responsible for choosing each item. 

Where can we find you online? 
Blog: http://shopfirefly.com/blog
Website: http://shopfirefly.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hellofirefly
Instagram: http://instagram.com/fireflyvenice
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/hellofirefly

         

Retail Therapy.

Name: Ink & Thread.
Established: November 2011.
Location: Derby

How would you describe your shop style? Our mission is to sell useful and British made things... I would describe the style ad bright and bold; we like primary colours, bold design, clever graphics and illustration. We sell things which have been thoughtfully designed and well made. 


What sets your shop apart from the others? The main thing which sets Ink & Thread apart is that everything we stock is made in Britain. We want to support British producers and in turn the economy. It also means low design and delivery miles so it's better for the environment.  Finally, British made means we can feel confident that everybody who helped make the items were paid fairly.

Where can we find you online? Website; www.inkandthread.co.uk Twitter; @British_Made  Facebook; Ink and Thread

Retail Therapy: Junk Funk.

Name: Junk Funk
Established: 2003 Spitalfields Market, London.
Location: Now settled in Brighton's laid back 'North Laine' area on the Gloucester Road since 2007.

How would you define your shops style? There is no shop style but we're into design, typography and creativity. So if we like it, we get it in and see if it sells.

What sets your store apart from your competitors? We enjoy it! And we are passionate about finding new products and designing our range of T-shirts and other products all at the same time.

Where else can we find you? You can fin us on twitter (@junkfunk), Online, Facebook and our Blog although we don't have much time to update them so they're a little neglected.

Retail Therapy: After Noah

Name: After Noah Ltd
Established: 1980
Location: Islington London

How would you define your shop style? Eclectic

5. What sets your shop apart from the others? Lovely staff, great music, fantastic stock? Maybe this reveiwer says it best…

"After Noah's existance makes me happy. This store has loads of trinkets new and old and a whole lower level of antiques. 

This store is one part vintage toy shop, one part antiques, and one part kitch gifts for the home.

This place is great to place to pick out unique present. "

Where can we find you? (blog,twitter,tumblr) www.afternoah.com  Facebook - After Noah

Retail Therapy: Penny Fielding beautiful Interiors.

Name: Penny Fielding beautiful Interiors.
Established: 2004
Location: The ancient village of Walthamstow. (mentioned in the Doomsday Book) 34 Orford Road E179NJ

How would you define your shop style? I would describe the shop as "eclectic chic". (A mixture of new and vintage home-wares, high quality local art and craft, vintage clothes and high end kids toys).

What sets you store apart from the others? People constantly come into the shop and tell me how beautiful it is. (I try to live up to the name!). We are big supporters of local art and craft and are a major supporter and fund raiser for the E17 Art Trail. We were voted by our  customers as one of the Best Small Shops In Britain in the Telegraph Magazine awards organised by Mary Portas. We give great customer service wether a customer is spending 99p or £500 and we always make everyone feel welcome. We have pop up shops every week end to give young designer makers an opportunity to show off their wares, which in turn makes the shop more interesting for our clients. i spend a lot of time restyling the shop and customers love that. The stock is ever changing. We have the most laid back cat in the east end called Jassie Mo. Children drag their parents in to see her. 

In short VERY independent and as far from a high street chain as you can get.

Where can we find you online? www.pennyfielding.com @pennyfielding

Retail Therapy: Ed.

Name: Ed

Established: 1998               

Location: 41 Northcross Road, East Dulwich, London, SE22 9ET

How would you define your shop style? A bright, eclectic and quirky mix of homeware, gifts and fashion.

What sets your shop apart from the others? Our unique edit of products and friendly team.

Where can we find you online? www.rigbyandmac.com , Facebook and @rigbyandmac on Twitter

Retail Therapy: Here and Now Gallery

Name: Here and Now
Established: Feb 2008
Location: Falmouth, Cornwall

How would you describe your shop style? Small independant gallery and shop specialising in illustration.We stock limited edition prints, books, handmade zines, cards and gifts 

What sets your shop apart from the others?We support and encourage the upcoming artists from Falmouth University as well as stocking work from more established artists. We have a growing reputation for stocking the more unusual magazines and books and we are most definately the best place in town to buy cards for any occasion.

All this along with a gallery space which is available to hire to likeminded people.
                  

Where can we find you? you can find us at http://www.heregallery.co.uk

http://www.facebook.com/hereandnowgallery
http://www.heregallery.blogspot.com
@hereandnowshop on twitter 

Retail Therapy: Plaisir.

Name: Plaisir

Established: August 2009

Location: Biggar, a market town in the Scottish Borders

How would you define your shop style? Plaisir has a happy, relaxed style. We love bold colour and pattern. We sell things that are both beautiful and useful and we love handmade things made by people who are brilliant at what they do and who really care about what they make.

What sets your shop apart from the others? We work really hard to surprise and delight our customers. From our window displays which change every week, to the product displays in the roll-top bath that sits in the middle of our shop-floor. We also give out free homemade cake to our customers every Saturday!

Where can we find you? As well as our website (www.plaisirshop.co.uk) you can catch up with us on our blog (www.plaisirblog.com), Facebook (www.facebook.com/plaisirshop) and Twitter (@clareyuille).

Retail Therapy: Nest Boutique, Madrid.

Name: Nest Boutique

Established: May 2008

Location: Madrid, Spain. The city centre in an area called Malasaña, full of little boutique and vintage shops and cafes. 

Shop style? Cosy, colourful, filled with unique gifts, decorations for the house, stationery and accessories. 

What sets it apart? Most of the stock is from abroad and very unique to the area. The 'gift shop' in Madrid is still quite a rare thing, particularly greeting cards and wrapping papers, so it stands out. The boutique and homely style is also an attraction I think, it draws people in. 

Where to can we find you? website: www.nest-boutique.com which unfortunately is currently under construction to become an online shop, but hopefully will be up and running by the end of the year. Facebook – Nest group. I’ll try to make an effort on Twitter soon too!

Retail Therapy... Tante Jojo

Name: Tante Jojo
Established: 2007
Location: Leuven, Belgium.
How would you define your shop style? Personal, original, flowery, exclusive, girly, special. 

What sets your shop apart from the others? You can't find Tante Jojo's collections anywhere else in the area.
Where can we find you? www.tantejojo.be and Facebook 

Retail Therapy: Frank

Name: Frank

Established: June 2006

Location: 65 Harbour Street, Whitstable

How would you define your store? We seek out and celebrate the homegrown creativity of the newly fledged, as well as more firmly established practitioners.

Products by: Jonny Hannah, Sukie, Rob Ryan, John Dilnot, Gary Goodman, Laura McCafferty, Lucy Gough to name but a few. 

Where can we find you online? www.frankworks.eu