Georgie & Flo – Exeter

Georgie & Flo is a little shop with a big heart nestled just off the beaten track off Queen Street on Upper Paul Street. Founded three years ago by two friends who decided that a city like Exeter deserved a place to buy local, handcrafted lovely things. Quite possibly one of the smallest retail spaces in Exeter, Georgie & Flo is nestled at the top of Gandy Street opposite the RAMM museum and a stone’s throw from The Phoenix.

Erin Cox, co-owner of Georgie & Flo said “The Westcountry is home to such amazing and talented makers. As a jeweller myself I know how hard it is to find an audience for your product. It was a dream of mine to create a little haven for makers, and consumers!” And a haven it really is. A pocket-sized shop filled to bursting with the most beautiful, local, ethical and sustainable gifts for yourself or your loved ones.

Georgie and Flo has a strict ethical policy. Emily who runs Georgie & Flo day to day spends much of her time sourcing local artists and curating the tiny space, managing to make it seem like an Aladdin’s cave of handmade wonder. Erin adds, “It’s so important to us that we showcase local talents, and also sleep at night! Emily and I both feel strongly that small steps and little changes will make the world a better place. Supporting local artists pumps money into local communities, reduces carbon footprints, reduces packaging, reduces exploitation and encourages sustainability. It’s amazing how much of a positive impact shopping locally has. You can change the world by shopping!”

Erin Cox aka Georgie, is a jeweller and local girl. She is proud of her Fairtrade Gold collections and all the silver jewellery designed and made under the Georgie & Flo banner is made using recycled silver.

In addition to Erin Cox Jewellery, Georgie & Flo stock all manner of gifts and homeware ranging from woollen socks made on a Victorian sock loom made near Bickleigh to incredible leather handbags built for life and made in Colyton. Amazing beauty products good enough to eat are made in Ashburton and wooden bowls and magic wands turned in beautiful locally sourced wood are made in Dulford. There is so much to offer. Something for all pallets and all purses. It is really worth taking a closer look.

What I personally love about shopping in independent stores is the attention to detail you get in your service. This can be as little as a friendly “hello” and a smile, to a guided tour through the shop’s beautiful products. I also love how many independents take the time to wrap your purchases nicely which in turn makes the shopping experience so much more special. It’s the little things that really can make a difference.

On top of all the wonderful ethical and local gifts, they also hold creative workshops on a regular basis. I recently visited a festive wrapping paper workshop where I hand-printed and decorated Christmas wrap, gift tags and cards. It was two hours of blissful therapy under the guidance of Lily Faith, complete with plenty of tea and homemade sweet treats. I would highly recommend checking out their upcoming events.

You can find Georgie & Flo at 1 Upper Paul Street, Exeter, Devon, EX4 3NB.

Disclaimer: I was not paid for this post. I just fell in love with Georgie & Flo’s charms. All views are my own as always.

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