A much-loved shop in Stroud is on the move to larger premises after 13 years.
Butterfly Ball, opened by Corinne Price in 2011 selling gifts, crystals and natural clothing, closed its doors in Union Street for the last time on Saturday.
“I’ll be moving to Kendrick Street and opening on May 4th in what used to be Kashmir Dreams, opposite Walkers the Bakers,” said Corinne.
Corinne prides herself on selling items which have a low impact on the environment: “Most of the items I sell are Fair Trade or sustainably sourced – a lot of our products are either made in the UK or are using things like vegan-friendly dyes. They also get a second life because the Run and Fly clothing will go on to a swap and sell because the quality is so good.
“Everything we sell has a low impact – that’s our ethos – and that’s the way to go forward in retail.”
Corinne has mixed emotions about the move: “It’s exciting but it’s also a bittersweet scenario as my rent in Union Street was raised by 44 per cent. My new landlord’s name is Frank, the same as my late father, and his daughter’s middle name is Frances, and so is mine, so I don’t know if this is a happy serendipity, but I’m really pleased that we’re moving to something positive from a negative – that’s the only way to move forward, isn’t it?”
The new shop will be three times the size of the existing one: “There’s going to be more light, and I will have the luxury of a basement as well. There will be more crystal ranges, more clothing, and I’ll be able to explore my artwork because I also create and make my own products, so I’ll be able to expand that range.”
Butterfly Ball opens at 1 Kendrick Street, Stroud, on Saturday, May 4th.
