With a stunning new refurb and a new baby on the way for owner Clare Callanan, it’s all change again at this fab family-friendly shop.
Calladoodles retail outlet and workshop-base arrived on Carshalton High Street in March 2010 and hasn’t looked back since. The haven of keepsakes and gifts, with an impressive range of children's products, has been a huge hit with the local community over the last two years, especially local mums.
With a beautiful redesign, owner Clare Callanan’s ‘baby’ is looking better than ever. Now with a real baby of her own due in August, the family-oriented store looks set to be more child-friendly than ever.
“I’m thrilled to be expecting a baby in August,” explains Clare. “You can tell from the shop that I love children - and I’ve been step-mum for years to two gorgeous girls - but you can’t beat having your own!”
Family friendly
It’s true that you can’t miss Clare’s ability to put children at the forefront of her business. The shop is delight for parents, from the stunning gifts to the beautiful jewellery and homeware for mums. The colouring area for kids to amuse themselves while parents shop is also truly enlightened.
Where so many establishments manage to make parents feel uncomfortable on their premises, terrified that they will be told off for disturbing the displays, Calladoodles goes out of its way to make mums and families feel welcome.
“Calladoodles is a family-run business and is centred around families,” explains Calladoodles’ owner, Clare Callanan. “Children love being in the shop. We encourage them to sit at the table and doodle while their mums have a browse around.”
The shop also stocks an extensive range of child-focused products including various educational crafting kits.
Even the name Calladoodles itself is a product of children. It was dreamed up by Clare's step-children, Megan and Caitlin, who noticed how she loved to doodle. And so Calladoodles was born!
Supporting the local community
The secret to Calladoodles' success has been its unique ability to mix mainstream products with high-end, locally-produced arts and crafts. And Calladoodles' continues to make mums and the local community a priority.
“We try to provide a range of items suited to the local community, particularly local mums,” explains Clare. “We always welcome feedback and new ideas for stock that local mums need or would like to see.”
Calladoodles works closely with local schools and charities like Helpp which is a Sutton-based charity which supports parents of children with disabilities. A pound from the sales of their ever-popular owl cushions goes to this charity.
The shop also offers regular work experience placements to local colleges and secondary schools. Clare works with Orchard Hill College for young people with learning disabilities where the students make soaps to sell in the shop.
Local creativity
Calladoodles has its roots firmly in local, community trading and actively promotes the empowerment of micro-businesses and independent crafts-people and artists. Even in a recession Clare has seen the local artistic community flourish:
“Carshalton is full of creative talent. There is a waiting list to sell in the shop as the local arts businesses are flourishing. Even in the midst of a recession, creativity continues to blossom!”
“We are lucky enough to work with the Mine Gallery a few doors down from us,” Clare continues. “We sell cards featuring the art in the gallery and we are planning to have local artists come into the shop to doodle with local children.”
“There is a great arty community in Carshalton,” explains Clare. “We all support one another in our arty pursuits.”
New for this year at Calladoodles is their expanded range of cards, which have proved especially popular, 'What Katie Did Next' products and an improved Calladoodles which will feature all of their products to buy online.
Supporting local mums
Calladoodles is also giving Local Mums the chance to purchase at a discount through Carshalton Mums.
Read Carshalton Mums’ reviews of Calladoodles.
If you would like more information about any of Calladoodles community-based initiatives please contact Clare at Calladoodles: clare@calladoodles.uk.com.
www.calladoodles.com
This article was first published on www.carshaltonmums.com