Welcoming Autumn to Chirpy, keeping the door open (but adding an extra layer)!

The sun may have shone for the last week in September but there’s a definite nip in the air as we look back at the last 3 months at Chirpy.

 I welcomed July with a bucket list gig, getting to see Steve Wonder live has definitely been one of my highlights of the year, supported by local girl Corinne Bailey Rae which made it just that little bit special. Closely followed by a holiday in Croatia I was really thankful for my amazing team in July to let me have a bit of time out to relax and gather my thoughts for the rest of the year.

Straight back at it from my holiday with a visit to Harrogate Home & Gift, just a bus ride away, where I found some gorgeous new products which have already become best sellers at Chirpy. Just hoping I can keep them stocked up for Christmas as know they are going to be popular.

July saw the launch of Wellbeing Wednesday Meditations sessions – something a little bit different for us but we loved it. Looking forward to running these on a monthly basis so don’t forget to book. The next one is Wednesday 15th October - click HERE to book

 In August we said goodbye to Lizzie (& my Thursday mornings sleep ins!) as she’s got herself an exciting part time job as well as continuing to make her beautiful ceramics. Great excuse for a team night out trying out one of the newer bars in Chapel Allerton, Brew + Bao, which did not disappoint.

I had a flying trip to Aberdeen to help my daughter move into her new uni house (not quite as flying as planned thanks to storm Floris and a cancelled train). Then a day trip to London to meet up with some uni friends, though we didn’t really leave the vicinity of KX, too busy eating, drinking and catching up to actually take in any of the sights!

Despite the rain, Chapel Allerton Festival was another great success, as we supported it again as a wristband collection point, meaning new visitors to Chirpy who’d never been before. Let’s just hope they return soon and buy something!

 If you’ve wanted to find me in September then chances are I’ll have been at Chirpy! With a depleted team and staff holidays I’ve spent most of my time here, though huge thanks to Stacey and Molly for helping out when I needed a break.

Another flying visit to London, this time to visit Top Drawer, the trade show which for me really marks the start of autumn and the run up to Christmas. A great show, a chance to catch up with retail pals, suppliers and of course find some new products.

We celebrated Thinking of You Week with a week-long competition, sending cards on behalf of our winners to spread a bit of Chirpy love and joy.

 Our workshop programme got off to a great start, with Jesmonite, Fused Glass & Calligraphy workshops as well as our second Meditation session which left me ready to take on the next 3 months and whatever it throws at me!

 We welcomed back Katie & May with their preloved clothing, a perfect way to end sustainable September. Did you pick up a preloved bargain?

 So as the sun sets a little bit earlier every day, the leaves start to fall and the temperature drops, we’re gearing up for the ‘Golden Quarter’. With marketing plans, purchasing spreadsheets and sales forecasts we’ve hoping the this year doesn’t disappoint. Every year we are always blown away by the support of our Chirpy customers and this year we need you more than ever as it’s been a tough year in retail. We hope you love the new products we have chosen and as ever we’re here to offer great customer service with a smile!

In October half term we see the return of mini Jesmonite Workshops for just £10 - click HERE to book. We also welcome back our amazing CHIRPYVERSARY card competition to celebrate our 9th anniversary. Throughout October buy a bundle of 5 cards in store or online and be in with a chance of winning a bundle of cards every month for a year, worth over £170! Head to our online store to be in with a chance of winning

Here’s to a busy and successful autumn!

Hope to see you soon in Chirpy

Jo x

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Sweeping the autumn leaves over the summer...

July’s usually a quiet month as everyone gets ready for the schools to end and holidays to begin, but thanks to our Chirpy customers we had a busy one.

We were also honoured to be a finalist at the RETA awards, the Oscar’s of the card industry. Even though we didn’t take away the prize it was a wonderful event to be part of such an amazing group of other independent retailers.

In the quieter moments I also  spent a bit more time working a little bit on the business rather than just in it, attending a great branding event workshop and behind the scenes I was crunching numbers thanks the The Resilient Retail Club & looking at our Christmas planning.

I also attended Harrogate Home & Gift Tradeshow, which I’m really lucky to have only a bus ride away (& perfect for a trip to the Turkish Baths afterwards)

Our workshops finished for the summer, ending with a a sell-out  Jesmonite workshop and hosting a birthday party for a customer’s daughter.

It seems like a long time ago, but the memories of 2 epic walks are still alive – what a month taking on the Yorkshire 3 Peaks and then Snowden. Definitely two of my highs of the year, quite literally.

And so to August when the summer finally arrived and everyone went away (except me!). Team Chirpy enjoyed a much needed team get together, a rare chance for use all to get together and catch up. Chirpy just ticks along in August but in home life things were much more exciting. With A level results and an 18th birthday to celebrate it proved to be an exciting month, if you include trips to Ikea to get the obligatory university essentials!

This year I actually got to enjoy the Chapel Allerton Festival, which we were happy to support by being a collection point for wristbands and offering customers wearing them discount in the shop. It was a great and busy event and something Chapel Allerton should be really proud of putting on each year.

I love September, when the light changes and you can feel the new season around the corner. Not so much a fan this year, as it’s quickly turned cold and rainy and the shop’s been a bit too quiet! But there has been good moments.

Our workshop programme has got off to a great start, with Colourful Weaving, Arm knitting,  Painting and Lampshade Making. We’ve launched all our autumn & festive workshops for the rest of the year and look forward to a welcoming lots of crafty customer upstairs. We also hosted 2 private Jesmonite workshops  for Leeds Society of Architects and a team building for Connective3 which saw amazing results. Love running these so always happy when people get in touch to ask about them.

Our favourite trade show, Top Drawer, did not disappoint this year and we can’t wait for you to see what we’ve ordered. PREORDERS are available now to help you spread the cost of gifting over the festive period and to guarantee that you get the products you’ll love.

September is the perfect time to get in touch with people during ‘Thinking of You’ week – this year we ran a competition every day and loved sending cards on behalf of our customers. Cards are so important to Chirpy, they literally pay our rent, and we love that our Chirpy customers appreciate the great ranges we stock. Watch this space for our annual Card Subscription competition which launched in October.

Finally September was a big month in our household too as my daughter went off to university, just a mere 350 miles away! Think we’re all adjusting but can’t wait to go and visit in October.

So as we enter the ‘golden quarter’ we’ve just launched a couple of exciting events. This half term we’ll be running some mini Jesmonite workshops, perfect for kids, Tickets are also on sale for this year’s CHIRPYVERSARY party on 8th November – come and join us to celebrate my 8th anniversary in Chirpy.

Here’s to a busy and successful autumn!

Jo x

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