Shops / News
MAKE reopens as a pop-up for a limited time only
Independent store MAKE on Gloucester Road, has reopened as a pop-up after the community favourite closed its permanent site over the summer.
The independent women’s store closed in August, after facing what owner Sophie Hansen described as the “worst month ever” in sales, but now she’s back and excited to see the faces of her regulars again after a much anticipated 3 month wait.
They have a selection of present worthy books, on topics including foraging, walks and good food
The store sells ethically source clothing, jewellery and gifts from several independent makers. A lot of the stock has been kept from when the permanent store closed, with a few new bits of stock for the festive period.
is needed now More than ever
Prices vary to suit everyone’s budgets, for example, some jumpers over £120 and others are £30 or £40. Regardless she ensures that they are quality, even if you are spending less she wants her items to last a long time. Treading the price versus the quality is ongoing struggle for businesses and individuals wanting to be sustainable.
Many of shops products are also from local businesses such as the Somerset Toiletry Co.
A local farmshop has distributed cards to the store for sale
Sophie said she was excited to see all her customers again. She joked about how loyal her customers had been, sending her messages of social media, popping in to have a chat, even to go as far as to only buy products when she is working, which is usually 7 days a weeks.
Warm handmade gloves and hats are available in time for the winter chill
When the store closed earlier this year, she said in a reflective announcement on Facebook to her loyal customers, she said: “It’s been a rollercoaster these last few years but despite once again pulling off our best ever Christmas period, the rest of the year just isn’t pulling its weight, with April 2024 being the worst month I have EVER had.”
In an interview at the time, she added that since the COVID-19 Pandemic and further challenges affecting sales, the business has been continually ‘teetering on the edge’, causing her to debate the future viability of the store non-stop.
Adding that her determination to keep the store open was beginning to be at the “expense of my own finances and mental health, so it’s time for me to move on”.
But choosing previously to persist as she believes in “the high street and the value it brings to our community”.
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Bristol’s Gloucester Road is home to dozens of independent stores and cafes, but as Sophie explains “changes to nearby shops, closures, or moves” as well as issues can be felt acutely on small businesses.
Gloucester Road is a special place but she’s keen to distinguish that its success is “down to its traders, not down to the council, or other people”.
The exterior of MAKE
MAKE, 66 Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8BH
All photos: Hannah Massoudi
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