JB arrives with a BOOM!

Hehas a passion for the planet and young Whitchurch entrepreneur Jonjo Ashbrook wants to make a difference by helping consumers make ethical shopping choices, through products that are sustainable, Fair Trade and eco-friendly. Joining the family business – sister Maddie runs the successful MOOand BOOM store in the town – he has launched a sustainable clothing and lifestyle store for men in the new St Mary’s Arcade on the High Street.

JB and BOOM opened its doors at the end of last year, and for 2023 Jonjo has all sorts of plans to bring something unique to the Shropshire town. The 18-year-old, who has a Distinction in Sports Science from Ellesmere College, admits to being “a bit of a clotheshorse” when it comes to fashion, but believes there is a sustainable way to create an individual style. “Second-hand is not for everyone,” he says, but recycled materials, reused fabrics and BCI cottons are where he wants to be.

If you are furnishing your home and want to bring a room alive with a quality, quirky item of furniture, JB and BOOM delivers here too. New finds appear regularly, sourced by Jonjo and Maddie’s mum Stella, an ex-auctioneer with an eye for the unusual, and are reupholstered or upcycled to fit the JB space. By introducing old with new, and adding soft furnishings in muted tones and a pop of colour, your signature style is born.

MOOand BOOM won two awards in 2022, its second year of trading – FSB Start UP Business 2022 and the Boutique Star Awards for New Independent in the UK. No pressure then, Jonjo! The company prides itself on positive trading and giving back to the community, aiming to model what it means to live more sustainably without compromising on your dreams.

There’s always something new

Find JB and BOOM at St Mary’s Arcade, Whitchurch, and keep up with all the news on social media @jbandboom @mooandboom

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A shaggy sheep story

Brighten your home this spring with a hand-crafted animal foot rest from Ewemoo Footstools. Made in their Ystradgynlais Workshops near the Brecon Beacons, their signature shaggy footrests take the form of sheep, bulls, cows, pigs and goats – they even have chenille fabric hedgehogs! These adorable animals are available in a rainbow of colours, from natural sheep colours to the new electric blue. Ewemoo also sell cushions and throws made from Melin Tregwynt fabrics, as well as a truly Welsh range of homewares. Buy online, direct from the workshop or catch them on tour. www.ewemoo.co.uk

Candles galore at Corwen Manor

Corwen Manor Craft Centre began life in 1839 as the old Union Workhouse. It was bought by the Sayers in 1989 and is now a thriving craft centre. The shop is well known for its huge range of candles, all made in Wales, and also sells Welsh gifts, hand-made products from North Wales and a good selection of wool. A recent addition is the paint shop selling the ever-popular Frenchic paint and accessories

Corwen Manor also specialises in fishing tackle, and is happy to answer your angling queries and advise on local fishing. www. corwenmanor.co.uk

Fashion with a conscience

MOOand BOOM’s success as a destination shop for sustainable and ethically sourced clothing and homewares has a new o shoot in Whitchurch – JB and BOOM men’s sustainable lifestyle store. Expect on-trend smart, casual, smart casual and outerwear that doesn’t break the planet, together with gifts and homewares. The owner Jonjo is passionate about fashion and also about sustainability in clothing and soft furnishings. JB and BOOM also has one-o antiques and statement pieces to bring unique personality and style to any home – and a space for co cionados to try new brews! www.mooandboom.com

The Shire patch is home to an amazing array of independent retailers. We’re so lucky to have them! Here are a few of our favourites.

See the light in Oswestry!

Experience personal and friendly service at Moon

Lighting, a small independent lighting retailer in Church Street, Oswestry run by Carol Aitken and Mike Roberts, who know everything there is to know about the lighting industry. They o er a wide variety of products including pendants, wall lights, floor lamps, table lamps, lampshades, mirrors and photo frames, along with all manner of retro-fit LED light bulbs including vintage. They also sell the hard-to-find Laura Ashley lighting and mirror collections, and the latest outdoor and bathroom lights. Email: moonlighting3737@gmail.com

A funky oasis of beautiful things

Soulful Living, in Beaumaris and Bangor, o ers a quirky shopping experience supplying unique and original artisan gifts, homeware, jewellery, fragrances and Fairtrade clothing. Overflowing with gorgeous colours and exciting fabrics enjoy an Aladdin’s Cave of treasures from around the world, with everything from Indian pou es to Himalayan salt lamps.

Kerry Anne’s Soulful Living Lifestyle clothing range is bright and colourful, and you can choose the perfect Jaipur kimono or comfy harem pants. Open daily 10am-5pm. Follow @Soulful Living Lifestyle on Facebook.

Selling local meat to local people

Jamie Ward comes from a long line of farmers, but in 1999 he changed direction and began direct-selling homemade sausages and pork from his own pigs. Now Jamie Ward’s Traditional Family Butchers & Deli is a destination shop in Chirk, o ering locally sourced meats including Welsh Black sirloin and rump joints, venison and Welsh goat. The Deli o ers tempting savouries, including ‘ready meals’, as well as a hot bar and sweet treats. Open Tues-Fri 7.30am5.30pm, Sat until 2pm, in St Mary’s Precinct, Chirk. www.jamiewardsbutchers.co.uk

Local and eco-friendly

MOOand BOOM is a family-run retailer o ering a variety of sustainable living homeware, clothing, Fairtrade gifts and more from the UK and ethically sourced worldwide. They up-cycle furniture and sell antiques, natural beauty products and sustainable fashion in their beautiful store in Whitchurch, which is full of colour and gorgeous smells. A café kiosk at the back of the Green End store o ers vegan and glutenfree cakes and light bites, su used by the warmth of a cosy wood burner. There is also a studio hosting holistic workshops, yoga, Pilates and creative workshops. www. mooandboom.com

Everyone loves a market

Oswestry’s first recorded market formed some 800 years ago! Today the vibrant indoor market is held every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, selling everything from fresh cakes and bread to antiques and gifts. There are interesting food outlets where you can sit and soak up the market atmosphere. The outdoor street market can be enjoyed every Wednesday and Saturday, with quality plant sellers and food producers, and there’s an artisan market on the last Friday of each month. Oswestry Markets were delighted to receive a Highly Commended Award in the Great British Market Awards 2023. www.oswestrymarket.co.uk

Made with love

Individually hand-crafted and quirky bears and mice are eagerly awaiting new, loving homes at Tweedies of Ludlow. Designed and lovingly produced by Patricia Clanzy-Hodge, from the finest Welsh and Shetland tweeds and yarns, they are perfect, beautiful, unique and a ordable gifts. Grab them whilst you can, as the shop will be closing down after almost 18 years, and Patricia is looking to use up her stock of tweeds, yarns and cotton fabrics. Email patricia@tweedies.biz or visit: www.tweedies.biz

Mystery shopper

For folk of a mysterious, magical persuasion, The Dead Faeries in Bangor is the place to go. Stocking Nemesis Now and Alchemy, two of the biggest names in alternative giftware, it also carries a huge range of crystals, incense, tarot and oracle cards. Also Crazy Colour and Manic Panic hair colours and much more. For queries and opening hours call 07884 008 321.

For all your shopping needs

Experience retail heaven at Tweedmill Shopping Outlet, near St Asaph. Choose from over 300 quality a ordable brands in clothing, home and lifestyle, and much more. Explore 50,000 square feet of variety and value over two floors.

As well as shopping Tweedmill is home to the Lord & Leslie Hair & Beauty Salon, Mill Clinic Health & Foot Care, Infinite Tailoring, and City Travel & Tours, not forgetting the café, co ee shop, tea rooms and farm shop.

Tweedmill is open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm, at Llannerch Park, St Asaph. www.tweedmill.co.uk

Fresh, ethical and hand-made

Daisy & Tilly’s Shop on the Hill is a new store just south of Shrewsbury, specialising in vegan, gluten-free, local produce, home baking, fine wines and beers and much more. They don’t stock big brands, preferring to sell local produce from small producers in Shropshire and beyond, including cut flowers from Little & Wild Flowers. There’s also a large selection of exquisite greeting cards and gifts: handmade jewellery from Stained Glass Art in Shifnal, creative cards from Flowerdog Photography, unique necklace and card sets from Emma Lawrence and many other ranges. www.daisyandtillys.shop

Wonderful Welsh woolies

A family business since 1859, Trefriw Woollen Mills process their wool using machines that are over 50 years old and powered by a 1940s water-driven turbine. Visit the shop to buy traditional Welsh ‘tapestry’ bedspreads, travel rugs and tweeds, all woven on site. Fabrics are made into throws, cushion covers, capes, hats, caps, bags, purses and more. The shop also stocks a wide range of pure wool knitwear and accessories, sheepskin goods and gifts. Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm in Terfriw, Conwy Valley. www.t-w-m.co.uk