INDIES SPECIAL
SHOPPING
Looking forward to: “The rest of the summer! Being close to Cardiff Castle, we get many tourists popping in, and meet lots of interesting people.” Favourite Cardiff indie: “We’re big fans of Spillers – the best independent record shop anywhere.” 39-43 Castle Arcade, Cardiff; troutmarkbooks.com
HAUS CONTEMPORARY FURNISHINGS
(Above) Anne Morgan Jewellery: “Everything we have has been made from scratch by independent small businesses,” says Anne; (Bottom, right) Stylish, design-led goodies at Dear Doris
What’s new? “We’re just about to open our fourth store in Leeds, and our fifth store opens in Edinburgh in September.” Looking forward to: “Hosting our second Brogue Goes Beaujolais day later in the year, in aid of George Thomas Hospice Care. Last year I generated £22,000 for such a great cause, so let’s try and beat it!” Favourite Cardiff indies: “Watches of Wales – I can’t stop treating myself!” 27A Morgan Arcade, Cardiff; thebroguetrader.com
HOME BY KIRSTY
CREATING A
BUSINESS THAT YOU LOVE
AND ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT IS THE BEST FEELING
The skinny: A lifestyle/homeware shop, selling lighting, accessories, jewellery, gifts and stationery. The beginning: “I opened in August 2014,” says owner Kirsty Patrick. “The first day I opened the shop door will be one I will never forget. Creating a business that you love and are passionate about is the best feeling.” What’s your ethos? “I really pride myself on championing all sorts of British and Welsh design-led products.” What’s new? “Foil prints by the amazing Tom Pigeon and beautiful mini concrete planters.” Favourite Cardiff indies: “For contemporary art, gallery ten is a must-see. And The Early Bird’s cinnamon buns are the best!”
Owners: Gail Jones and Vivian Llewellyn. The skinny: Haus specialises in made-to-measure curtains and blinds, poles and tracks, wallpaper, paint and home accessories. They offer an interior design service, too. The beginning: “After our former employer (Maskreys) closed, we decided to branch out on our own and opened in spring 2011,” says Gail. What’s your ethos? “Creating individual room styling but staying in tune with our customers’ likes and dislikes. Offering exceptional customer service is key to what we do.” Fun fact: “We find it difficult to decorate our own home – we can do it for others, but not for ourselves!” What’s new? “The beautiful Clarissa Hulse collection for Harlequin will be arriving soon – it’s her second, long-awaited collection of fabulous wallpapers and fabrics.” Favourite Cardiff indies: “Our immediate neighbour, Victoria Fearn Gallery, run by Victoria herself. Her shop is full of lovely, quirky stock and affordable art.” 6C Heol-Y-Deri, Rhiwbina; haus-cardiff.co.uk
ROSSITERS
Owners: Ann-Marie and Peter James The skinny: A family-run department store offering quality furniture, home interiors and gifts. The beginning: “Rossiters was first established in Bath in 1961 by the Rossiter family and sold to the James family 16 years ago,” says Ann-Marie. w
16 Castle Arcade, Cardiff; homebykirsty.com
TROUTMARK BOOKS
Owner: Ceri Rogers The skinny: First opened 20 years ago, a unique second-hand bookshop that sells an eclectic mix of fiction, first editions, comics, records and more. What’s your ethos? “We have a relaxed atmosphere which hopefully encourages booklovers to browse the shelves at their leisure,” says Troutmark’s Jason Richards. “The shop can be a safe haven for book-lovers on a busy day in town!” What’s new in? “Some cool ‘Conan’ comics from the 1970s, and Roald Dahl children’s paperbacks.” www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 39