It’s 1993 and we’re redundant…Quick, think of something…anything!
After long, arduous and painstaking research (we’d asked a couple of likely lads in Barrels) and much detailed planning (concisely mapped on the inevitable soggy beer mat) we developed a thoroughly explored bar-top business strategy. We drew two wet Lowry figures and a sticky arrow pointing to an empty shop along the road – spillage to success: The Green Shop was born.
It was a Thursday.
‘Tizer Day. And if you don’t know what that means you don’t know Berwick.
It was November.
In Berwick. Bit bleak. Except for us and our brand new shop.
One year on the accountant says: So, when are you closing? And the rest, as they say, is history…nah…Ourstory!
OWNERS WELL PAST USE-BY DATE
Well it happens. By 2019 we felt that we had reached our BBF with a Use-by looming.
But, come 2023, we had an over 29 year track record which we really wanted to see continue. The shop is soooo well thought of, soooo appreciated and soooo unique that it has an obvious oooo factor worth preserving, developing and expanding.
AN UPDATE WE POSTED ON OUR FACEBOOK THING AT THE BEGINNING OF APRIL 2023:
Nowt simple about us, eh? Not even leaving.
Pauline and I said we’d be finished on 31st March. But the new owners won’t take over for another 2, 4, 6 weeks (legal stuff). So what’s happening?
Well, until the sale goes through we are still responsible (who, us?), still owning, still paying the bills and still with the possibility of the odd (and we are) guest appearance. But there’s an obvious gap between us almost leaving and new folk coming in.
Fear not, The Green Shop will remain open (while allowing us to ‘leave’) and trading as normal because, into the gap come the astonishing “Friends of The Green Shop” ta-da!
Some wonderful people have banded together to keep The Green Shop going. I mean, how cool is that? How many shops anywhere get that kind of accolade? Absolutely breath-taking!
The Friends have arranged a roster of volunteers from among their number and will schedule them into the shop to ensure that we are adequately staffed, and allow our super employees the time they need to do the running of the place.
So we’re gone (man), but not quite really gone.
We received a gift yesterday from “friends and customers” (thanks Joan and Gail) which is thoughtful, useful and really will be very well used. Thank you – you are all amazing.
Since we announced our intention of retiring there has been so much expression of good wishes and also of gratitude (!) and appreciation (!) for The Green Shop (for example just see the very existence of the “Friends”). We’re kind of overwhelmed. But all your electronic, paper and verbal accolades (that is the word) have emphasised to us that what we blithely call “just a shop” has actually been so much more. Unique, surviving, truly special and respected.
Thank you, customers and staff across 30 years, three decades and two millennia. Whatever we did, we did it together. And we believe that it is going into good, fresh, hands!
UPDATE, THE END OF JULY ’23
We think we have found the perfect heirs to take The Green Shop to new heights. So the 31st of July is Pauline and my last day in charge. Roz and Mark: it’s all yours with our best wishes.
It is not easy keeping any small business going in any town, let alone in a fairly isolated place like Berwick. What’s true for us is true for all ‘local’ businesses. If you value it – use it. We are no longer involved in any way, other than as customers (aw, come on! where else would we shop?) but we firmly believe that The Green Shop’s continuing ethos is worthy of all our support. Nowhere else gets even close!
To sell Organic,
to promote Fair-Trade,
to sell Local where possible
and to never sell animal-tested products.
FIRM FOUNDATIONS 18.11.1993
Be a Green Shop(per).
The Green Shop Berwick 