A chance conversation last week saw Colporter pop-up into a local empty shop. People in Furzedown were ever so sad to see Raine close recently, now online and doing shopping parties so still going from strength to strength, but leaving a gap on our little mini high street. People kept saying “can’t you go in there?”. “Will you sell cards”. I was keen but lots of reasons stopped me, the rent was too high, I have a new baby and footfall is not very high but I was sorely tempted.

Calculator out. No, I thought I would leave it for now. Then things appeared in the empty shop. Some nice pieces of furniture and some smart cushions. I wondered if the new owners/tenants wanted to share the space. You can see what happened next…they did on a temporary basis. We may be here 2 weeks or 6 months, who knows.

So what is the deal with the stock?

Grant (the Furzedown Upcycler) has some nice painted furniture, G plan dressing table, consoles and sofas. Together with a corner bath (don’t ask). Becky of Huckberry Home has gorgeous home made cushions and lamp shades. Her own designs and bespoke orders.

Colporter’s things for the wall fit the space well, especially as the walls are painted such a dramatic shade of dark grey (F and B Downpipe btw). It is a great space. Grant uses the back room as a workshop so the front is the showroom. I also store some bits out back so it is practical as well as pretty.

So, this week we got settled in, opened a few times at erratic times. People nosed through the window to see what was going on and some of my friends and customers have visited. It was rather fun.

Given how infrequently I can open at the moment I thought a coffee morning would be a nice way to launch. That was this morning. Regular readers and twitter tweeps may know I am helping a couple with the design of a new restaurant in Tooting called TOTA. The owners Gary and Victoria rose to a Twitter challenge to let people try some of the cooking and so they provided some delicious treats as you can see…

Yummy…

And this…

The shoppers certainly tucked in, only a few pieces left for Mr Colporter to try later. I must say a big thank you to Chef Gary for doing this when he has so much on at the minute - it was certainly a million times better than the frozen croissants which will be served at the next coffee morning.  Which leads me on nicely. I will probably have a more informal coffee morning every Friday 9.30 - 11.45 with slightly less posh food and less people (it was mental today). Grant will be open on Saturdays. Otherwise check the door for the next day’s opening times or call me to arrange an appointment.