At Rye News we champion the high street. We are proud that our town has so many independent shops and businesses, as well as a strong and active Chamber of Commerce. So we are pleased to announce two new businesses setting up shop this week, both owned by experienced, entrepreneurial women, with a proven track record of success.
Near Rye, at Salts Farm, East Guldeford, Emma Lee has run The Salon @thesalonrye for the last ten years, having worked in the industry for seven years prior to that. She has steadily grown her business into a thriving beauty salon, catering to both men and women. Whether it’s nails, hair or treatments, along with her staff, she has created a happy haven for her many customers. What they don’t know about the comings and goings of Rye and its inhabitants, isn’t worth knowing, but like all true professionals, discretion is a given and that information remains safely between their four walls.
And now Emma has acquired four more new walls and coincidentally, just above the existing ones. When the shop upstairs became available, she jumped at the chance to do something new with the lovely, airy space. So now, along with The Salon, she has The Shop @theshoprye.
The Shop is a dress agency, packed full of clothes, shoes and bags looking for a new home, as well as gifts and cards. We all have things that we thought we’d wear, but actually never do, so why not pass them on. Pre-loved becomes loved again by someone new and Emma takes care of it, splitting all proceeds 50-50.
Wasn’t she concerned about starting a new business in these straightened times? Not at all, as one of six equally successful siblings, she says that they were all brought up to work hard. With her energy, charm and focus, she reminds me of the old adage “It takes a lifetime of work to become an overnight success”.
On the other side of Rye another local high street, this time in Winchelsea, is getting a new lease of life. The town was once home to several shops and businesses, but one by one they closed up, leaving just The Little Shop and The New Inn. Now, following Rye’s lead as a major interior design hub, Winchelsea can boast textile designer and decorative artist Ellen Merchant @ellenmerchant.
Not only did she study at Camberwell College of Art, but also Central St Martins and then went on to get an MA in Textiles from the Royal College of Art. Starting off in fashion, she found that her real interest lay in longevity, purpose and traditional craftsmanship, which naturally led her to interiors. The Winchelsea studio, due to open shortly, will be a showroom for her fabrics, wallpapers and homeware.
Two women focusing on the zeitgeist of our times, shopping locally, sustainability and quality; another two reasons to be able to say: “We are so lucky to live here.”
Image Credits: Natasha Robinson .