Mums who became neighbours and friends open new homewares …
Two mums who became friends after moving next door to one another in a Somerset village have opened a new gift and homewares shop. Mum of two, Lisa Riddoch, first met Amelia Clayton when she moved to the village of Winscombe last summer. The pair, who both have children, quickly became friends and have now opened the village’s new gift and homewares shop, Duo Store.
The new store, in a former bridal shop on Woodborough Road, stocks a range of homewares and gifts from cushions, throws to rugs, vases, plant pots and candles. The pair also work with local producers including two ceramic artists and a jewellery maker. They have also teamed up with a local florist who creates dried flower arrangements and an illustrator from Bristol to provide artworks.
READ MORE: Public warned not to eat brand of semi-soft cheeses after listeria outbreak death As well as the homewares section, the shop also sells a range of children’s accessories and gifts including baby blankets, comforters, toys and books. The shop also stocks a range of adults and children’s greeting cards and gift wrap.
Lisa, 41, said: “We felt that Winscombe was missing a shop like ours. As mums we found ourselves struggling to buy children’s gifts and gifts for special occasions and were often having to run around all over the place to find the right thing – especially when our children went to birthday parties.
Some of the goodies on offer at Duo Homewares and Gift Shop in Winscombe (Image: Duo Homewares and Gift Shop in Winscombe)Some of the goodies on offer at Duo Homewares and Gift Shop in Winscombe (Image: Duo Homewares and Gift Shop in Winscombe)
“We were also always in and out of each others’ homes admiring each others’ homewares and we’d always end up talking about the products and items and where we got them. It just snowballed from there.
“We were so lucky when the opportunity came up to take on a shop in the village.” Duo Store is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9.30am to 4.30pm. “It’s ideal because as we are both mums, we can share the running of the shop and work it around our children. “Never did I think that when I moved to Winscombe I’d end up opening a shop with my next door neighbour.” You can follow Duo Store on Facebook here.
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