New home and giftware shop opens in historic Kirkcaldy building
and live on Freeview channel 276
The small family business on the town’s waterfront, which opened on Saturday by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, is owned by Charlene and Greig Hopcroft.
It was initially launched as an online business in April this year and operated from Charlene’s home studio in Kinglassie.
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Hide AdBut when the opportunity came up to move into the premises at Merchant House in Kirkcaldy, she couldn’t turn it down.
She said: “We were out for a family walk along the prom in mid October. Having parked at the East End, we decided to walk back along the High Street just to see what was going on.
“When we reached Merchant’s House I got chatting with Ricky from the new cafe there, and spotted that the other shop unit was vacant also.
“Greig contacted Scottish Historic Buildings Trust and decided to arrange a viewing. After that, I knew it was absolutely perfect for my vision and decided we would go for it.”
She revealed how her business started.
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“During lockdown I started to design and create my own range of prints for the home and started to sell them on my website, which Greig had designed and created from my brief. As sales began, I designed more and more and now have a full range of prints for each room in the house.
“As part of the business expanding and with the shop opening on the horizon, I have been busy sourcing a range of home and giftware to stock in the shop.
"There are a range of decorative accessories, greetings cards, wall decor and gifts for the whole family.”
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Charlene is excited to be part of the regeneration of Kirkcaldy High Street: “Supporting small businesses is crucial and with many of the nationals leaving the High Street it’s up to us independents to keep people shopping at the High Street and keep them coming back.”
She added: “We would like to thank Gordon Brown for attending on Saturday to cut the ribbon for the official opening. We look forward to welcoming him and his wife Sarah back to the shop one day.”