Adore My Store Circa 21

Circa 21

Penzance is a town passionate about supporting its local small businesses through all seasons and for seven years, Circa 21 has been a proud member of its independent community. We find out what this iconic and stylish store has planned for this summer season...

With a plethora of handmade gifts, homeware, art and lifestyle products, Circa 21 has always been a place that champions hyper locality and creative individuality. Small batches, sustainability and the story behind each product are an important ethos to the store and something that has kept customers returning year on year. For founder and owner of Circa 21, Esme Burton, it’s been a welcomed sight to see returning visitors and locals to the shop after this year’s lockdown, “Gift and homeware ranges which have a coastal and natural element to them are my instinctive choice,” she describes. “I love products that are not seen everywhere and made in small batches. When I select Fair Trade or Locally Made pieces at trade or craft markets, the who, what where and why story behind a range is so important to me. Transparent shopping is the new norm for a happy world ethos, and my customers appreciate this care and attention.”

Wild gorse soap, silver blossom earrings, willow bird feeders, sea salt candles, boxed dandelion scarves and carved wooden bowls are just a few favourites that Esme has noticed fly out the store’s physical and virtual doors this year. In keeping with Penzance’s status as a leading ‘plastic free’ town, Esme has always looked to bring eco-conscious ideals and products into the walls of Circa 21 and this summer season is no exception, “I’ve just selected a homeware range made from sustainable natural materials,” she says, “Jute, water hyacinth, bamboo, seagrass and recycled cotton. Newlyn potter Lincoln Kirby Bell has also created characterful and colourful ranges once again.”

As contemporary local makers sit beside specially selected products, there’s a key focus on originality, eco-friendly values and of course, putting Cornwall’s elemental coastal themes centre stage for design inspiration, “A customer’s loyalty is everything and becoming a destination shop is a dream come true, especially after lockdown and seeing returning visitors and locals so excited to be back shopping with us again, or just popping in to hear how we’re managing. We were often told by our customers that we were the first shop they chose to step into. They felt safe, welcome and very relieved we are still open!”

One positive aspect of lockdown was that it offered Esme the opportunity to give the Circa 21 website the care and attention it needed and now the virtual doors of the store are open, interactive, and stocked full of goodies that can be found in-store, with plenty of eye-catching content and gift ideas for that something special.

“Our new webshop is waiting to be discovered,” Esme says. “Subscribe to Circa 21 and receive infrequent emails with stories behind seasonal ranges, and the occasional discount code!” l

To discover the incredible Circa 21 range head to www.circa21.co.uk

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10am – 4pm

21 Market Jew Street Penzance, Cornwall TR18 2HR