Investing in Bristol’s new independent shops

Bristol is a hub of independent stores, with well-established shops on almost every street corner.

With the city breeding creativity and with a thriving independent scene, it’s no surprise that 2019 saw a significant number of new stores opening, selling everything from dried flowers to two-pieces made from old duvets.

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In south Bristol, September 2019 saw the opening of Farahway Cafe, selling crafts and coffee. Owner Farah Merali had dreamed of opening a café-cum-shop and her hopes have finally come to fruition. As well as serving sweet treats and locally brewed coffee by Wogan’s, Farahway also sells crochet kits and hopes to host workshops in 2020.

Enjoy crafts and coffee at Farahway Cafe. Photo by Nick Fullingham

At the end of 2019, and following the success of her book, Artisan Bristol, Sophie Rees opened her first store in Bristol in December. The Bristol Artisan, located just off Whiteladies Road in Clifton sells a collection of homewares, clothing, gifts and workshops from designer makers, with a focus on handmade and sustainable products.

Ida Lifestyle on Gloucester Road opened in February 2019 and aims to be a one-stop shop for Bristol women. The store is located at 41 Gloucester Road, just next door to sister store Fox + Feather, which is run by the same owners, Claire and Lauren.

The two women want Ida Lifestyle to “fill the gap in the market and provide a service to Bristol women”, saying that customers are quick to praise how ”they can do it all” in Ida Lifestyle instead of going to Cribbs Causeway or Cabot Circus.

Claire and Lauren of Ida Lifestyle and Fox + Feather

Re-opening on Old Market just before the end of the year was Good Store Studio. From May to July 2019, Good Store Studio was a prominent part of the area, selling homeware, clothing and gifts from independent creatives. Located in Two’s Company Studios, studio manager Beth Izzard found out in April 2019 that the space was to be converted into flats, the store would need to move premises.

Thanks to the help of the stores on Old Market Street, Good Store Studios was able to move into the old Dainese shop, following its closure. The store sells products by various artists, along with clothing by Duvet Days and Palace Flophouse, as well as housing several studios and a small room for hire.

Also on Old Market Street is Pretty Wild is proving the power of flowers. Working as a producer in Berlin, a friend suggested owner Ellen Kenny would be a good florist. The idea stuck; she wanted to be more creative after supporting other’s creativity for so long.

Ellen opened Pretty Wild at the beginning of 2019, the store initially sold fresh flowers. This became unsustainable due to the low footfall through Old Market, as the arrangements were wilting before anyone had a chance to buy them.

To reduce waste, Ellen started drying the flower arrangements and hit on a great idea. She started selling dried flowers bouquets. Ellen is ahead of the game, saying: “People do think they’re something from the 80s, but dried flowers don’t have to look dead.”

Ellen from Pretty Wild sells flowers on Old Market Street

BAM Store + Space in Easton is just a stone’s throw away from The Greenbank Pub and Mivart Studios, it’s an independent store as well as a creative learning space.

“The focus is on local designers and makers,” says owner Fran Harkness. “With everything going on at the moment it feels really important to create a positive, fun, happy space where people can come and meet their neighbours, learn new skills and create together.”

BAM has been set up as a community interest company and will reinvest any profits into community projects and organisation, such as the Easton Window Wanderland, which Fran has run for the past two years.

Fran opened Bam in Easton at the end of 2019

Fran highlights that BAM is first and foremost a store selling independent work and as well as stocking products from creatives, Fran has also teamed up with Friendly Records in Bedminster, who will curate a small selection of records to sell from the store, bringing a piece of south Bristol to BS5.

Main photo of Ellen and Tem from Pretty Wild by Georgina Brownhill

Read more: New arts and crafts cafe opens on North Street