Well known greeting card agent, Carl Stirk felt compelled to contact PG Buzz to champion the gumption of independent retailer Fiona Trees, owner of Memorable Moments in Ripon who, rather than capitulate to the challenges of being an indie has made a hefty investment to relocate to a much larger store in the town. The new, enlarged revamped card and gift store has just opened, much to the delight of and support from the local community.
“What Fiona has done strikes a really positive note in these somewhat difficult times and bucking the trend for independents, which is great news for us in the greeting card and gift industry,” sums up Carl.
Reeling from the positive comments she has received to the recently opened store, Fiona is gratified that “Customers are appreciating the extra space available for browsing in comfort and have been spending!”
There is no denying Fiona’s commitment to greeting card retailing. “I’ve been involved in retail for as long as I can remember. My grandma had three shops at one point. When she retired my parents took over her one remaining shop in Ripon and I started working as a Saturday girl when I was 11,” she explains. It was when her parents retired in 12 years ago that Memorable Moments was borne in Ripon’s Queen Street.
“I had run the card section of my parents’ shop for many years building up contacts with agents like Carl and Mike Rignall so decided to put this experience to good use. I opened the shop in April 2006, obviously not long after that we had the financial downturn so I think it’s fair to say it was challenging at times!” Fiona summarised.
Fiona believes it has been her approach of offering “quality products at fair prices with the level of service that only independents can offer” that has served her well for so many years.
As the shop lease was up for renewal at the end of this year (and Fiona felt it had outgrown the premises), when she heard that a shop unit in a nearby street she decided to go for it.
“The only downside is that I have been paying two rents since April and am still liable for the old shop until December but I feel it is a price worth paying,” says Fiona.
Having spent several months and several £1000’s refurbishing the new store (in North Street) the store has now officially relocated.
Sharing her optimistic views, Fiona told PG Buzz: “Christmas is coming and I feel very positive for the future. Given the changes on the High Street I feel that the time has come for us ‘true indies’ to shine.”
Top: The new expansion makes for future Memorable Moments for the Ripon indie.
