Shop of the Week: Japonica

If you’re looking for somewhere different that sells distinctive, unique, kawaii gifts, then Japonica is the place to go. Hidden away at the back of The Corn Exchange, few people discover the shop, but once they do, it’s a place that’s eager to be returned to.

Japonica’s not hard to miss once you know where it is: decorations spill outside of the shop, including two large unicorns stuck to the wall – you’d never guess they were handmade from paper.

Japonica’s outside display to view before you even walk in

Jane Labas, the owner of the shop, has gained loyal and friendly customers whilst running Japonica due to the novelty of the shop, her positive attitude and her willingness to communicate and make friendly conversation, as well as sharing her love for the gifts she sells.

As you walk in you find yourself surrounded by gifts: from traditional Japanese items and origami to playful stationery and plush toys, there’s something to suit everyone.

“I want my items to look attractive, but to also be useful” says Jane, who runs the shop independently, and looking around at the amount of home decor and stationery you can tell that the majority of the items will be of use.

Jane Labas is Japonica’s independent owner 

Another one of the shop’s many features that didn’t go unnoticed were the cats, closely followed by more cats. Because who doesn’t love them?

“Everyone loves cats, including myself,” Jane says, “and I like to be able to sell things that are popular with others, but also things that I love, too.”

The shop was filled with items relating to cats: cat-shaped cushions, magnets and even cats on socks. And if that wasn’t enough, you can even find knickers with a print-out of a cat’s head on the front.

Cat knickers are just one of the many feline-related items in Japonica

Other animal trends can be spotted in the shop too, including unicorns and pandas. Jane had also clearly done her research for what’s going to be in soon, commenting that it looks like it’ll be sloths and llamas. There were also products that suited the season, including large, multicoloured butterfly wings. Jane has always had a passion for Arts and Crafts, and she loves making the garments she sells:

“For as long as I can remember I’ve loved drawing; in the past I’ve taken courses including woodwork and others more recently, and I’m looking into taking a course on stained glass in the future.

“I love knowing how to do various crafts even if I won’t need them for this shop, as it’s so good to know how to do something.”

Jane is clearly dedicated to the work that she does, and her genuine love for Arts and Crafts is reflected in her shop.

Japonica also sells items that relate to the current time of year

However, running a successful business is a lot of work, especially on your own. If running the shop six days a week – and seven over Christmas – between 9:30am and 5:00pm isn’t exhausting enough, extra time is spent ordering, organising and making the gifts.

“I get nowhere near the minimum wage for all the hours combined from making the products and running the shop,” comments Jane. “But at least when I do make stuff I get something out of it, which is why I do it”.

Jane also says that she hasn’t had a holiday in years as she just cant afford to take any time off and, despite her hard efforts, it’s impossible for her to predict the future of her business and she therefore has to have a plan, in case she suddenly had to close down.

“Because of the cut of government spending on St Nicholas Market, less money is being spent on advertising any of our shops, so everybody is going to lose out.” In other words, unless you happen to stumble across a certain place yourself, how will you know it exists?

Jane goes on to say that a lot of the shops around The Galleries that surround St Nick’s Market have moved to the more recently-built Cabot Circus, which raises concern for any independent shop owners and workers at St Nick’s, and that this will affect everyone working at the Market, as well as herself.

“For a lot of people shopping is a social activity and an experience, therefore they aren’t going to want to shop round here anymore if so many shops round The Galleries are shut. It’ll just be dull – instead they’ll shop around Cabot Circus where there’s a vibrant atmosphere.”

Despite this, however, Jane is going to continue running Japonica, satisfying customers, and working through her struggles for as long as possible.

Japonica
The Exchange Hall, Corn Street,
St Nicholas Market
Bristol
BS1 1JQ
07829 607 712
www.japonicafabrics.co.uk