Friday, January 21, 2011

1st Anniversary

Today was a rather special day for me...
Its been one whole year since I opened the doors to my little shop on Shepton Mallet's Market Place and I wanted to mark the milestone with some of it's regular customers.

So I felt a little indulgence was in order...
Hubby was on hand all day serving teas and coffees (Thank you Sweetie!) and I displayed cakes in the window for visitors to help themselves...
I did have a few confused faces peering in; perhaps they thought I'd diversified and was going over to catering?! - But hopefully my message in the window and the balloons outside helped them to realise it was a 'thank you party'.
I am very grateful to all who have visited my shop over the past year...All the hours of sewing and early mornings out sourcing stock that I have done during that time, have been thoroughly worthwhile. I am so happy to have met so many lovely people and am very pleased to now have regular customers who stop-by to see what's new, to have a chat, and to spur me on with their encouraging words.
New faces are always welcome too, of course! ;-))
I would like to mention Sally, a local lady who I see most weeks - She uses the local High Street wherever possible, supporting the small businesses, rather than the big supermarket at the top of town. Her enthusiasm and kindness has meant a huge amount to me and I am very grateful to know her. Today she came into my shop with this gorgeous bouquet of flowers...
I had to bring them home this evening, so that we can enjoy them over the weekend.

I had another delivery of flowers this morning too, which came from my good friend Debbie...I know I am spoilt! (I'll have to try to take some better photos of these, as I haven't done them justice - the pussy willow buds tucked inside are a delightful addition.)
I'd like to thank Maureen and John who travelled to Shepton today, bringing a bottle of wine and a card with them.
It's wonderful how a love of vintage can unite us like-minded gals...don't you think? There's always that connection, because we get where each other is coming from...
Thanks too to Alison who stopped-by this afternoon, bringing chocolates and a card...I honestly had no idea that a shop's Birthday could be such an occasion!

If I can get away with saying just one more thank you, it would be to Belinda and Wayne at No.21, for the support, help and encouragement they have shown to me over this first year. Belinda's passion and enthusiasm for the town always lifts me on the occasional difficult day.
(Thanks B, for today's blog post too!)
I'm now looking ahead and hoping that Shepton can regenerate...I have 'survived' my first year, which proves it can be done...
It would be great to think that others might take the plunge and give it a go. I know how rewarding being your own boss can be. Its hard work, but fulfilling and fun every day...
Have a lovely weekend,
Niki x

42 comments:

  1. congratulation.really lovly place i like this piknk potty whit hiasynt

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  2. Dear Niki,
    Many congratulations on your first year - hard work always brings its reward - that's what my dad always says. Hope you have many happy years in your shop to come.
    June.

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  3. Hello Niki
    Congratulations on your shops first Birthday. I would loved to have been there for that.

    If I ever get to come to the UK, your shop is on my list of places to visit. I just love all things vintage & Antique.
    Your Australian Friend
    Elizabeth xx

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  4. Anonymous10:34 pm

    Congratulations - wish i could have popped in -looks amazing

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  5. Congratulations on your lst anniversary, and what a lovely thing to do, the cakes look delicious, and the flowers beautiful. I hope one day to visit your lovely shop.
    Heres to another successful year!
    Jillx

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  6. Congratulations Niki! Your store looks so amazing I just know if I lived close by I would be there all the time. Here's wishing you many more wonderful years to come!
    Tina xo

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  7. Niki,

    Oh happy anniversary to Nostalgia at No.1 :) Congratulations, may you have many more years, customers and success :)

    All things nice...

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  8. Anonymous11:41 pm

    And you have done it all during a difficult financial time for so many so things can only get better! Congratulations!

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  9. Hi Niki

    It sounds as if you had a super day. Congratulations! I'm just sorry I wasn't able to get over to see you today, and even more sorry that my good intentions of sending a card came to nothing. Fine friend I am, aren't I!!!

    Sometime in the next 2 weeks, hopefully, I WILL pop in!

    Sue xx

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  10. Congrats Niki!!! One year and many more!!!
    I love what you did with the map drawers - you are so clever!
    Terri

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  11. dear Niki, happy anniversary and hope your business more successful in coming years!

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  12. Thanks so much for sharing your story with us, and congratulations on surviving Year One. One day I might get to the UK and be able to visit. Till then wishes for lots more successful years -from Perth Western Australia.

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  13. Congratulation on your shops first year. You have work very hard and everything looks beautiful. May God Bless you in the future years. sandi

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  14. Congratulations on your shop anniversary. I have thoroughly enjoyed visiting through the Internet over the last year and will most definitely visit in person should I find myself anywhere near your part of the world! I would certainly make a special trip if I were within a day's travel =-) What a beautiful array of yummy delights, and the flowers, oh, so lovely! Thank you for sharing with us here on the web.

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  15. Happy Anniversary
    I will get there one day
    Julie xxxxxxxx

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  16. Anonymous8:23 am

    WELL DONE NIKI

    LOTS OF LOVE

    LOUISE AND RICHIE
    XXX

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  17. Congratulations, and another hundred years
    bargain! you deserve it.
    Susy

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  18. Big congratulations hun!
    Well done...here's to many more

    Karen x x x

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  19. Congratulations on your first birthday Niki! What a lovely way to celebrate.

    Jayne

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  20. Niki ~ Happy 1st Birthday for the shop! I'm really sorry that I couldn't have been there ~ the cakes look delicious as does the shop!
    You are truly an inspiration for the rest of us and deserve every ounce of success that comes your way...
    Look forward to visiting again very soon.
    Ali x

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  21. The nation of shopkeepers' figure-head - Niki. I salute you! LLX

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  22. What a lovely anniversary celebration. I hope your efforts (and those of other shopkeepers) are rewarded and that Shepton Mallet's High Street becomes vibrant again.
    The flowers are beautiful.
    Have a great weekend.
    Carol xx

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  23. omg you are totally living my dream :) Two interior/vintagy shops have just closed in our local high street..but without trying to sound too harsh i just never thought they did it properly your shop always looks fantastic and full of everchanging stock, congratulations :)

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  24. Happy Birthday Nostalgia.
    Congatulations Niki, you are an inspiration. One day I will make it to visit you & your beautiful shop.
    Luv Sophie xxx

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  25. Thank you Niki for the mention. We are so pleased to see such a beautiful shop joining us in the town. All our best wishes for 2011. No21x Belinda & Wayne

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  26. One day I hope to be in the area so I can drop by - hopefully before you celebrate your 2nd anniversary. Congratulations. xx

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  27. Congratulations and well done! xx

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  28. Congratulations Niki! on a year in your beautiful shop. The times that I have wanted to be there, and now I have missed the cake too !
    Travelling is just too far at the moment, maybe I should move to Shepton Mallot, everything I love about vintage seems to be in your neck of the woods and not mine, even Vintage Goodwood has gone to the South Bank London :-(
    Anyway I wish you another good year of trading and ONE day my little nose will be looking in the window, and I will make sure you are going to be open :-)

    take care always Ginny x

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  29. Anonymous1:43 pm

    Congratulations on your first birthday. You have certainly inspired into the world of vintage.

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  30. Congratulations Niki. I am promising myself that one day I will take a trip to your lovely looking shop. I would have liked to pop in for one of those delicious looking cakes and a cup of tea. So pleased for you that you are doing well and getting regular customers. Keep up the hard work and here's to your second year. Fiona x

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  31. Congratulations on your anniversary! I'm so glad you've been successful! If I'm ever so fortunate as to come across the pond, I'll definitely stop in to see you!

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  32. Congratulations on your shops first anniversary.

    Would love to come and see you one day. xxxx

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  33. Congratulations! Enjoy your weekend.

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  34. Julie Bell6:04 pm

    Congratulations Niki, your shop is just devine...the best.

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  35. Your shop is just charming!! I've always though it was warm and cozy whenever I've come to look on your site here. Congratulations on one year in business. In this rough economy..that's a great accomplishment in itself!
    Wishing you many more years of success!

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  36. Congratulations, Niki! My very best wishes for many years to come:))I wish I could get to you more often:)

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  37. Happy First Birthday to your beautiful shop! I wish I could have come over to join in the celebrations! Enjoy the rest of the weekend.. xxx

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  38. Anonymous7:23 pm

    Congratulations Niki!
    I always enjoy your posts about your shop and I stare at the pictures for hours. You sure have an eye for finding the loveliest and prettiest things. (Most of it you just don't find over here in Italy...)
    Best wishes for many years to come.
    Ciao, Helena

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  39. Congratulations Niki, the first year seems to have flown by, I know how much hard work you put in and how time consuming the shop is - you deserve all of the success.
    :T X
    ps the tea looks lovely

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  40. Congratulations Niki! Happy (shop) birthday! We always celebrate ours to with offers, displays etc. This'n'That was six in December. Wishing you every success in the future.
    Lesley XX

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  41. Happy 1st Birthday Nostalgia, and here's to many more. Good Luck x

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  42. Congratulations Niki, I hope to pop-in in person in September :) The cakes look delish, Tamara

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Thank you for finding the time to visit me...
Niki xx