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Original poster

Any shopkeepers out there? How do you combine it with motherhood?

25 replies

Gem13 · 26/05/2004 17:47

Am semi-seriously starting to think about opening a shop and before going too far into the enquiry/thinking process was wondering how it would work with 2 small children.

Anyone doing it/been there?

OP posts:
Marina · 26/05/2004 18:30

Well, our local late-night pharmacy is run by a great couple with five-year old twins. AND mum is a school teacher...I really don't know how they do it though, and avoid the place if at all possible on the grounds that this pair make me feel like a slacker...

gloworm · 26/05/2004 20:50

we opened up a shop 3 and half years ago. since then have got married, had ds (age 2), had dd (7mths) and are looking at house buying soon.

its hard work...you have no free time...and no paid holidays BUT I would recomend it to any one!! Its a great way of life, and gets easier with time. My parents owned a shop and still do and we had a great childhood

Original poster
Gem13 · 26/05/2004 21:42

Thanks for the replies.

What type of shop gloworm?

OP posts:
gloworm · 26/05/2004 21:47

health shop

how about you?

hoxtonchick · 26/05/2004 21:52

My friend has 2 children & is about to open a toyshop. Will let you how it's all going in a couple of months.

koo · 26/05/2004 21:59

We have a newsagents/holiday gifts and toyshop in a seaside village. Out two boys (7 and 5) love it! I do know my own limitations though and employ extra p/t staff over the holidays to allow time off for play.

If the kids are sick and can't go to school then they bunk-up on the sofa bed in the back store and watch videos and read comics.

My dh and I love the fact that our business is mental in the summer and ticks along nicely in the winter allowing us time for other projects.

As long as you are not under-capitalised, then having a shop really is an excellent way to live as a family. I do recommend living 'away' from the business though.

Original poster
Gem13 · 26/05/2004 22:01

Children's shoe shop. Don't know anything about them (yet) but know that we all spend a ton on shoes and have to drive for miles to get anything other than the 2 styles and rubbish service from the local Clarks.

Worked in retail for 6 years too before going to university and off on a different career path so have some experience.

Cheers HC. Be interested to hear how your friend gets on. Trying to keep quiet about my ideas at the moment as I don't want to be beaten to it by friends in a similar boat (i.e. thinking what to do next)!

OP posts:
Marina · 27/05/2004 10:02

Gem13, that is such a good project. There is a children's shoe shop in SE London that draws people from miles around because they have a good range and fit the shoes properly. More shops like that one are needed. Good luck!

Original poster
Gem13 · 27/05/2004 10:40

Thanks Marina. I really need a push to do it. I'm sure it would work but it's a bit daunting. I have a 3 month old and a nearly 2 year old so am pretty busy with them right now but it seems such a good idea and it eventually would fit in with them.

I must get cracking with it soon!

OP posts:
littlerach · 27/05/2004 10:44

One of the parents from nursery is opening a children's shoe shop in the next town to ours. She has sourced shoes from many different brands, and I believe she is also hoping to do a specialist service for narrow feet, odd sizes etc.

gloworm · 27/05/2004 10:46

gem once we decided to do it...we got started as soon as possible. we were always worried about someelse opening before us. it may be different where yoy live, but here there was only ever going to be room for one health shop.
Would it matter if there were 2 kids shoe shops in your town? or it a city which is big enough to need 2?
when are you thinking of starting? i suppose if you got going soon you would be quite well-established in time for "back to school" shoes.
where are you, if you dont mind me asking?

flea · 27/05/2004 10:47

Grew up in a toy-shop (after age of 8). We lived over the shop so was easier - in fact was great always having parents around when we came home. Never had holidays with parents but never seemed a problem. Loved it...

Original poster
Gem13 · 27/05/2004 11:37

flea - Parents running a toy shop - that must be every child's dream!

gloworm - we're in a medium sized town to the east of Brighton (don't want to put the name of it here in case it comes up in a search!) There wouldn't enough room for 2 of us!

littlerach - it will be interesting to hear how your friend gets on. Where is she?

OP posts:
lemonice · 27/05/2004 13:39

I opened a children's shop 2 years ago. My children were teenagers, find it difficult like now because ds is doing gcses and he is totally unsupervised on study leave. It's hard work as no chance of holiday or time off, because can't afford assistants yet.

Choose your location really carefully, like they say. Good luck.

GillW · 27/05/2004 14:37

Lemonice - where's your shop? Can you give us some clues? I know you're in Warwickshire, so it can't be far away. But I can't think of a children's shop which has opened in the last two years (unless you are the one opposite the hospital?). I'll come in and have a look if I can work out where you are.

lemonice · 27/05/2004 15:24

GillW seem to think you are in Solihull for some reason? It's about 25 mins from there I think.

GillW · 27/05/2004 15:45

Lemonice - no I'm sort of in the middle of the Leamington/Warwick/Kenilworth triangle. So 25mins from Solihull puts you quite near us (or possibly nearer Stratford?) I'd guess unless you're over in the Nuneaton area.

lemonice · 27/05/2004 16:04

Well it's in your triangle!

GillW · 27/05/2004 16:58

Are you C of M by any chance? (Which I realise will make absolutely no sense if you aren't? )

lemonice · 28/05/2004 11:13

Hands up

GillW · 28/05/2004 11:21

I'll bring ds in to see you next time I'm at home at the weekend (may not be for a couple of weeks) if you don't mind the potential 2 year old tantrums when he spots lots of things he likes the look of and can't have them!

KeyCODDYplayer · 28/05/2004 11:26

c of M?

lemonice · 28/05/2004 11:53

The shop is C..of..M..It's after a novel set in Barcelona (would be nice to have a shop there)

Of course all children welcome , sorry to take over this thread.

KeyCODDYplayer · 28/05/2004 11:54

go on go on anm in your neck of hte woods tomorrow.

lemonice · 28/05/2004 12:09

Didn't think there were many mns from this area or are you Birmingham? Try and Google on kaloo.

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