What products are you best you known for? / what are your personal favourites / recommendations?
We are well known for our stock of good quality, genuine crystals (gemstones) and also for our huge range of incense (93 different scents and counting!). Crystals are my personal favourites and I am always happy to help customers choose the right stone that will help them spiritually, emotionally and physically. Of course it’s perfectly OK to choose a stone or a piece of crystal jewellery just for it’s beauty!
What inspires you in and around Warwick and Leamington, and how does that impact on your choice of products you choose to stock?
What has most inspired me , and has had a huge impact on how this business has developed over the past 7+ years, is definitely our wonderful customers. People are tired of faceless corporations using resources without care and exploiting people from poorer communities. They love Fairtrade products produced from natural and recycled materials and made with care for the environment.
Also I was surprised at how spiritual people are and that has inspired me in my own life as well as in the shop.
What local festivals do you enjoy attending, and which are you returning to this year?
The best festival, if I can call it that, is the Smith Street Party! It was started about 20 years ago as a craft fair and has developed into a wonderful event which locals and business owners look forward to equally. We close the road to traffic and put our wares outside. There are food stalls, live music, craft stalls and children’s entertainers. It takes place on the last Saturday in July and is a lot of fun!
Which two local businesses outside your own do you know the most people at and why?
Bread and Co is next door to Cloud 9 and Stephen and Michelle opened their doors the same day we did so we have grown together. the other person who welcomed us so warmly back in 2012 was Maria at The Golden Monkey.
Which local businesses within Warwick and Leamington do you most frequent and why / what would you recommend?
Well, top of that list has to be The Roebuck! Many Smith Street Retailers meetings have been held there over the years. It’s very friendly and welcoming.
Detail your involvement with Fairtrade suppliers, and the good that this provides to many…
We use fair trade wholesalers that have been working with projects worldwide for many years. The majority of them are BAFTS registered. We can be sure that the products have been produced by people who have good working conditions, get paid a fair wage, have health care provision and that no child labour is used. On a personal level the people that started those companies are highly ethical and great to work with!
Explain how you work to ensure your products are sustainable and recycled materials using eco-friendly production methods…
Also talking with suppliers about their products. Some of our suppliers can even tell us something about the individual who made a particular product, what their lives are like and show us a photo too!
Inform us about Cloud 9’s recent fundraising for Child Rescue Nepal over the Christmas period. I understand your customers helped to raise over £100…
We were looking for decoration ideas for our first tree at St Mary’s Christmas Tree Festival. One of our suppliers had some lovely felt decorations made in Nepal, the sale of which helped to raise funds for Child Rescue Nepal. That gave us the idea to raise some funds ourselves. I contacted CRN and they were happy to help with leaflets and a collection box. We decided that we would also donate 50p for every felt decoration sold.
What new products have you got arriving in store soon? Can we have a sneak peek?
A lot of our products are one-off pieces and I never know what our suppliers are going to source for us, so it’s hard to say, but it’s always worth popping on to check what’s new!
What are your business plans and aspirations for the new year, ahead?
In an uncertain world we hope to continue to provide an oasis of peace and calm in our shop.
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