Welcome to the seventh edition of my Supporting Small Businesses series. I would like to introduce you to a lovely little shop which is local to me. Somewhere you can visit for that perfect gift for someone you love or even just to treat yourself. After all, in times like these we all deserve a treat, don’t we?
No. 1 High Street is a wonderful gift shop in Newtown in the heart of Mid Wales. It may only be a little shop, but it’s a little shop with a big heart! Many of the products found at No. 1 High Street are made by Welsh creators and are Welsh-themed, making it the perfect place to shop for a unique gift.
Liz, the shop owner, always provides a happy smile and a warm welcome when you walk through the door. Here you’ll find homeware (such as signs, ornaments, cushions, picture frames, mugs etc), books, jewellery, greeting cards, toys, bath bombs, soaps and more. There’s a lot to see and buy in this little shop.
On my most recent visit to No. 1 High Street, I picked up a slate heart for a gift, some Christmas cards and a couple of birthday cards, though I could have bought so much more!
The Christmas cards I bought just happen to be by Driftwood Designs, the first company I featured in my Supporting Small Business series. I love the artwork. I bought two packs of five – The first pack, “Let It Snow”, has the same design on each card, but the second pack, “Wishing You A Very Merry Christmas”, has a slightly different design on each card.
This “Best Nan Ever!” card is by Ditsy & Lee, another local company. It’s totally different from any other card I’ve given Nan for her birthday and I love that it was made locally. Sadly, I can’t show you the other birthday card in case the recipient reads this before their birthday!
On a previous visit, around three years ago, I spotted this Welsh dragon cushion and it’s been on the sofa ever since. Silky the cat thinks it’s roaringly good!
As you can see, No. 1 High Street is a treasure trove of gifts with something for everyone. It’s the perfect place to buy some Christmas presents and support a small business at the same time. Don’t worry if you’re not local, No. 1 High Street has an online shop too!
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Please note: I bought these items with my own money and I am in no way affiliated with No. 1 High Street.
26 Comments
CherryPie
The shop looks delightful, so many things to tempt into parting with my money 🙂
Kris P
I love shops like this, although they’re hard to find here these days. Decades ago, when I lived in in a beach city about an hour to the north, my go-to store for unique Christmas presents was a place like this in an area with a village feel. I went back there annually even after be moved to a different beach city, until the chain stores moved in and took over the entire area. As the song goes, “you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.”
Ann Coleman
What a lovely shop! I really hope to visit Wales someday, when this pandemic is finally over.
Kelly
What a marvelous looking store! I love places like that and bet I could spend forever browsing there. Lucky for you that it’s so close by….
Carol
what a fabulous place to shop
Jayne
Oh goodness, what a fabulous place – I am usually “crashed and burned” in little shops like that. I hope they are able to survive until we can all travel around again.
But your best shot is most definitely that of Silky and ‘her’ cushion.
Lisa
I love shops like this, they are complete treasure troves. And that picture of your cat with the cushion is amazing!
yvonne@FictionBooks
Hi Nikki,
This lovely little shop looks like a true Aladdin’s cave, every inch of space is used and I particularly like the ‘kids corner’.
The card for ‘Nan’ is gorgeous, bright and bold, just right for todays modern nans.
This little series of small trader features has been lovely. I just hope that when all this is over and a proper new ‘normal’ exists, that most of these businesses will be able to re-invent themselves and that not too many will have fallen by the wayside, which would be a real shame.
I hope that all is well with you and yours 🙂
Yvonne xx
PS. I just wondered whether you are still reading as much as you used to, only you seldom post about your books any more. I hope that you haven’t lost your reading mojo xxx
Nikki
Hi Yvonne, I did lose my reading mojo a little this year, although I have been listening to some audiobooks. I’ve also attended a couple of “virtual” book/author events online, although it’s not quite the same as going to an actual event.
jeanie
What a cute shop! If I was in Wales I have a feeling I would leave rather a large part of my budget behind (so long as I could fit it all in the luggage!)
Jo
It looks the perfect place to shop for cards and gifts.
Somewhere in Ireland
Looks like a nice place to shop. Lots of very nice items to choose from.
Diana Studer
The sort of shop where I bought some of the treasures in our livingroom – a wooden cat that ‘pours’ down over the shelf, and a wooden train that spells out my husband’s name.
Eastside Cats
Tons of wonderful things!
And Silky is a delight; I’d been hard-pressed to spend my time shopping, or petting Silky!
Riana Ang-Canning
This is such a cool series that you’re doing! So awesome to support small businesses. This store looks right up my alley; I love greeting cards! The “Best Nan Ever” card is amazing!
Shybiker
Lovely merchandise! It’s good to support small businesses.
Faye
The ‘cwtch’ heart is so cute! I love this series that you’re running – it’s so important to support independent businesses, especially now 🙂
https://www.femaleoriginal.com
Aimsy
Oh, I love little shops like this! So many creative products and the money is going to a small business, what’s not to love? Those Christmas cards are lovely too!
Thanks for sharing!
Aimsy xoxo
https://www.aimsysantics.co.uk
Lady Fi
What a delightful shop!
Lauretta C Wright
Ah, what a lovely little shop – this sounds right up my street. I’m always on the look out for small gift ideas for friends and little treats, plus it’s wonderful to support local businesses. Well done for showcasing No 1 High Street – I’m sure they’re really appreciative!
Felicity Grace Terry
Oh my goodness, a shop I could lose myself in; this is just the kind of shop I dream about. Thank you for supporting local businesses, I do fear for them and especially this year when so many have found themselves closed.
Sheryl
The shop looks wonderful. These days, it is so important to support small businesses.
Lauren
This shop looks so lovely!
Anca
Shops like this one always have lots of interesting items.
I do my best to support small businesses, as they need all the extra help these days. I bought from etsy, groceries from either small shops, or from an online supermarket (vegan, small when compared with the ones we all know about).
Nancy
Oooh love that you’re showcasing some small businesses on your blog! Love the vibes of No. 1 High Street! Lots of cool trinkets in the shop. Great random gifts for loved ones and all. The cards look so cool – super unique too! Thanks for sharing about this shop!
Nancy ✨ mdrnminimalists.com
Matt Two Tickets To
This looks like an absolutely wonderful little shop! Love having a browse of places that are just overflowing with great gift ideas and local products. Will definitely have to check out their online shop – perfect timing for Christmas!