An Ipswich family retail empire is growing with a fourth store in historic St Peter’s Street.
In these days of High Street chains and out-of-town warehouse shopping, it is great to see independent traders thriving in town centres.
And in Ipswich one family is growing a niche retail empire - with their fourth store in St Peter’s Street, Ipswich.,
Wendy Childs has been running her eclectic Maud’s Attic, offering furniture, gifts, lighting and jewellery among other things, for 25 years.
And her sons, Robert and John Manning have been alongside her supporting her, and more recently trading themselves.
Now, by acquiring the former I Scream parlour, at No 31 St Peter’s Street, their retail offering is expanding.
There are now four businesses in this historic terraced street, close to the Waterfront.
John Manning said: “It was an ideal opportunity to grow the business.
“We have moved interiors stock from Merchant House, and the Harry Potter Shop into No 31.
“Now we are launching Culinary Concepts@The House In Town at No 27-29 St Peter’s Street, the only one in the country - the first one.
“There have been franchises elsewhere. We will be able to offer a tremendous range of stock here.”
Hampshire and London-based Culinary Concepts has been offering contemporary design since 1999, a wide range of furniture and upholstery, lighting, bar items and gifts.
John Manning has been running The House In Town (at No 23 St Peter’s Street), since 2011.
He said: “Merchant House has been here more than 20 years too.
“We have stocked Culinary Concepts products for ten years.
“Recently they started doing some armchairs and soft furnishings, and that has been a great success, and very popular with customers.
“We have them here.”
When I called in, a customer was busy selecting a colour choice for a winged armchair, and choosing other items to match it for her home.
The store is already trading, with the exterior sign-writing to take place over the next couple of weeks, he said.
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