10 minute read
NEW INDIES Who’d open a business in lockdown? This punc hy lot did
Richard and Sara, baby, boards and lots of smiles
NEW START, NEW START-UPS When lockdown happened, Exeter people – entrepreneurial as ever – got busy. Professional ambitions and creative passions blossomed and, through hard work and a lot of determination, a wave of exciting local businesses sprung into life. Here is our pick of the latest local start-ups – and the amazing people behind them By Harriet Noble
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GEOFF MARSHALL ©
GEOFF MARSHALL ©
Travel by skate and never be late
JELLY COAST What: Owners Richard and Sara Ebdon handcraft beautiful, and very colourful, skateboards, cruiserboards, longboards and bellyboards. For every board they sell, they plant a tree in a piece of local woodland. They’re working on some glow in the dark boards as well. What it’s all about: “My husband made boards with a friend a few years back and always loved doing it,” says Sara.
“We had just acquired a workshop when, during lockdown, a friend wanted a longboard, so we made one for her. The response we got pushed us to make it into a business. We had always talked about starting building boards as a business but it had never happened; lockdown gave us the time to set it up.
“We were worried about what the reception would be as Covid has caused a lot of financial strain for people but lockdown has made people want to get outside. There’s been huge numbers of people learning to skate and longboard, especially women, which has driven a lot of interest our way.” Where: Their boards are all available online but they’re looking to sell at local pop-up shops and markets too. For more: www.jellycoast.com
COSY NOOK CANDLE CO. What: Handmade natural soy wax products made by Siân Lewis. What’s the story: Siân has lived in Exeter since she was 16 and has been a primary school teacher here for many years. This April she decided to set up her company after finding it hard to find locally made candles that didn’t contain either paraffin or synthetic fragrances.
“When lockdown started this gave me the opportunity to utilise my weekends to work on and develop the idea,” says Siân. “Exeter is no After much research and production, Siân opened longer the sleepy up her online business and then set about offering her provincial town of products locally. “Our local shop, the Berry my youth!” Dairy in Thorverton, which is an amazing little general
Cosy Nook candles are all about sustainability
store, also offered us the opportunity to stock our products, which allowed me to test the water in terms of customer feedback and product research, and it has been really successful! That was an opportunity we may not have had, had we not been in the middle of a lockdown.” Where: As well as Berry Dairy in Thorverton, Darts farm in Topsham and online: www.cosynookcandleco.co.uk
Fabian’s barbershop is new in town
BRICK & MORTAR What: An appointment-based barbershop founded by Fabian Brabon. What’s the story: Fabian grew up in Sidmouth but has lived in Liverpool, London (where he trained at the London School of Barbering) before deciding to settle in Exeter and eventually start a business in the industry that he loves.
“It’s always been my ambition to open my own shop and Covid gave me the forced break and time I needed to properly plan and start the shop,” says Fabian. Ups and downs: “There were some difficulties with starting a barbershop during the pandemic, the biggest for me was the unknown with regards to PPE etc. I wanted to make sure the clients would feel as safe and comfortable as possible. We’ve got a nice spacious shop so social distancing wasn’t an issue for us.” On the Exeter community: “I love Fore Street, the community and indie business scene this end of town is great. I’d like to give a special mention to Renowned Hair Salon, we’re located above them; they’ve been great, very supportive with any issue or concerns we’ve had.” Where: 55 Bartholomew Street West, Exeter, EX1 2EW; www.brickmortar.resurva.com
DOLLYDROPS ACCESSORIES What: Bespoke hand-painted wooden bead accessories, founded by Jo Macpherson. What’s the story: “During Covid, I was put on furlough for two months and as I spent this time at home with my children it gave me some much needed down time to reflect on my life and put into perspective, my interests and desires for the future,” say Jo.
“I have always been a creative person and have an active imagination; due to the ‘pause’ in my busy lifestyle, and time spent with my equally creative daughter, nine-year-old Malia, I started experimenting with some ideas. Very soon DollyDrops were born!”
We’re loving these personalised Dollydrops
Anything exciting: “I have recently made a few ‘school children’ Dolly keyrings with matching uniform colour for some children at my daughters’ school and it really is a pleasure to see them hanging off of lunch bags at the school gates.” Where: DollyDrops are currently being sold in Moments gift shop in Cullompton. Jo will also be selling them in local craft fairs soon, and you can also purchase online. www.facebook.com/DollyDrops
THE GLAM BAR EXETER What: A luxury, very pink, very Instagrammable beauty salon run by Nadia Davey and Yjumye Hurley-Scot. They do makeup, nail and brow treatments. What’s the story: “We are both 24 and are actually both originally from small villages in Devon, not too far from Exeter,” say Nadia and Yjumye.
“We met at Exeter College while studying Beauty Therapy Sciences seven years ago and have been friends ever since. Since then wehav e worked together at MAC Cosmetics before deciding to open the salon a few years ago.” Anything a bit different? “Our unique interior sets us apart from any other salon in the Exeter area with Instagram opportunities wherever you look; did we mention it’s a little bit pink?” Ups and downs: “We did worry that with clubs being closed and large events cancelled due to Covid, that this would have a detrimental effect on event makeup bookings, however we have been busy with all services.” On the community: “We have absolutely loved becoming a part of the Gandy Street family, we’ve received so much support from our neighbours, as well as so many businesses via social media.” What would you like people to feel when they come into your salon? “Pampered, feminine, empowered, relaxed, inspired, beautiful and of course glam!” Where: 1 Upper Paul Street, Exeter, EX4 3NB; www .theglambarexeter.co.uk
Yjumye and Nadia at their pretty Glam Bar
Chloe, Phil and Heidi: it’s a family affair at How on Earth Deli
HOW ON EARTH PLANT BASED DELI What: A family team who have set up a traditional deli with a nontraditional fully plant-based counter. They’ve been supplying grab and go vegan lunches to the Guild shop at the University of Exeter since 2017 but opened up their deli premises this year. Ups and downs: “We signed an eight-year lease in January 2020 and had planned to open mid-March,” says co- owner Heidi Howarth.
“Exactly a week before we opened the shut-down happened. It was a shock, but we adapted and as we have a rated kitchen at home we put the shop plans on pause and started home deliveries.
“We finally opened the deli on15 July. We have already met some amazing customers, lots of them regulars and we are happy to provide a welcoming environment for people to give plant-based food a try.” What should we try: “Our most popular product so far has been our southern fried chicken-style pieces and our Reuben sandwich, so I would suggest trying those!” Where: 76 South Street, Exeter, Devon, EX1 1EQ; www.facebook.com/howonearthvegan
COFFERY&CO. What: Coffery&Co is an independent artisan coffee and wine bar experience set up by Magdalena and Martin Bartnicka. As well as their coffee (which they manually brew), they also offer all-day brunch and, come evening, sharing platters, wine and live music. What’s the story: “We came to the UK from Poland almost 16 years ago, however we met only two years ago and got engaged soon after during our holidays in Sardinia,” says Magdalena.
“We were looking for another project that we could get involved in together. We realised that Exeter is missing a casual, contemporary
Magdalena and Martin Bartnicka are the coffee aficionados
coffee and wine bar that would offer a different food and drink “I love my experience and combine two of the best things in life to enjoy: coffee team, they are and wine!” Ups and downs: “We opened my biggest our business on 2 March 2020, so before the pandemic, and had cheerleaders” been trading exactly 18 days before we had to close our business down following the lockdown. After so much preparation and a very successful launch, we were devastated. Re-opening during Covid-19, in a deserted city centre was a surreal experience. We did not know what to expect but our customers came back.” Anything quirky? Yes! Play the piano there and get a free coffee. Where: 50-51 North Street, Exeter, EX4 3QR; www.cofferyandco.co.uk SOAP DAZE What: Soap Daze make 18 different scents of soaps, in three different sizes, including the ever popular soap on rope. All soaps are 100 per cent natural, plastic free, vegan, and palm oil free. The company is nearly 10 years old but owner Sharon Mitchell got her actual shop premises this March. On Exeter: “Exeter is my hometown,” says Sharon.
“I’ve loved growing up here and having my children here, I love the people and the vibrant city centre. I think Exeter is capable of accepting change and progressing, it’s no longer the sleepy provincial town of my youth!
The indie store scene in Exeter is very supportive, and we all shop amongst ourselves. I love selling products from other small businesses just like mine, and I love my team, they are all creatives, and my biggest cheerleaders!” Where: 126 Fore St, Exeter EX4 3JQ; www.soapdaze.com
Can’t see the trees for the wood Creative director Sam Sunshine and owner Sharon Mitchell love their new digs on Fore Street
THE FIRE TREES What: Owners Simon Cummins and Steph Kemp make and sell cheese and chopping boards from locally sourced hardwoods, as well as shelving, tables, mirrors and picture frames, usually from reclaimed building timbers – all at their shop down on the Quay. What’s in a name: “At our workshop at home, we use a device to burn random patterns into the wood using something called The Lichtenberg effect, which burns tree-like patterns into the wood, hence our name, The Fire Trees,” says Steph. Ups and downs: “Naturally, starting a new venture in such unprecedented times was a concern, but Jim [Steph’s brother-in-law, who ran Winterwood at the premises previously] had built a str ong reputation for quality goods at reasonable prices over the years, and we aim to continue that whilst bringing a fresh perspective and set of ideas to the shop.
“The Covid shutdown gave us the perfect opportunity to reorganise, redecorate and rebrand the shop, which has been well received by our customers.” Where: 21 The Quay, Exeter EX2 4AP. n
COMING SOON TO EXETER! THE PRESS HOUSE What: A Letterpress Café. Not sure what this is? Letterpress is the original mechanical method of printing using plates and ink pressed into paper leaving an impression in the paper which is often now used in luxury stationery, for example wedding invitations.
“We wanted to create a space for fellow stationery lovers who can watch the press in action as well as buy some of the prints, cards and personal stationery printed in store whilst enjoying a good coffee and food,” says Melissa Lockhart.
“We offer a buy and post in house option for greeting cards and thank you notes as we want to encourage people to be able to sit down and enjoy the process of writing to someone.” When’s it opening?: This October, on Fore Street For more: Instagram: @thepresshouseexeter
