New Year, New Shop!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! I have a tale to tell that I've been dying to share for weeks but nothing was finalised so I couldn't....

A few weeks ago on a busy Friday afternoon a man walked into my shop and asked me if I had 5 minutes to come and look at a newly refurbished shop space that he was hoping to rent out. Well I'm always up for taking a peek inside peoples buildings so I nipped down the road with him to take a look. I have not been the same since. It changed my world! It was lovely space and had everything I had been asking for whilst struggling with a growing business in a small space. It is a converted ground floor of a house so is very homey and I could instantly see this working for Radiance with all the lamps and home wares. It has a fireplace and alcoves to light and a lovely window.

Then there is another room with a fireplace and large window which would make the perfect light workspace for me. There is a cupboard under the stairs for box storage. THEN there's a storeroom (oh how I've prayed for such a thing) which can also be used as a parcel wrapping room and then a kitchen with more storage and then a shower room/toilet (a big plus as I've had to nip home to the loo for the last 4 years!) AND a yard.

I have not been stopped thinking about it since. It's not a typical shop with a typical shop window. It wouldn't work for any business and I had to weigh up letting go of my huge window and tall ceilings for a smaller (but still beautiful) window in a more prominent location with the extra space that I need. I think I can make the homliness of it really work for Radiance.

If you know Hebden Bridge it's right next door to the lovely Mooch cafe in the middle of Market Street and opposite Dynamite and Ruby Shoesday.

So the negotiations have been made and I'll be getting the keys on the 1st of February so please hold my hand. Here's where I will be planning and thinking and panicking and sweating no doubt. There's ALOT to think about - shop fitting, workshop fitting, signage, logisitcs (how do i keep one shop open and one workshop running whilst creating a new one), painting, financial issues, publicity etc etc etc. It's good timing though. 2010 holds the beginning of a shiny new project for me and Radiance. A blank canvas - a new beginning. Very exciting indeed!

I hope you will come to my grand opening...although as readers of my blog you will have watched the whole thing unfold anyway!

GULP!x