When Susan set up Mill House Millinery in the Pop -Up Shop on the High Street, she wasn’t sure what to expect. After her three week stay, she was overwhelmed by the response from the town.
“I have been completely amazed by the interest.” Susan says. “So many people have come in simply because they were intrigued by the window display.”
That curiosity has turned into something much bigger than footfall. “I’ve had wonderful conversations, shared hat stories and just generally chatted,” she explains. “I’m loving sharing the tools and materials and seeing people’s faces as I explain how they are used.”
A shop with something for everyone
Being in the shop for three weeks, Susan has given her visitors the chance to:
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- Try on hats
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- Watch hats being made
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- Try making something themselves
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- Browse millinery materials
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- Buy finished work
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- Discover preloved and upcycled hats
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- Contribute to a community project
Vintage and preloved pieces have proved particularly popular, plus Susan offered a repair service too. “The vintage and preloved pieces proved to been popular. I also had time to repair and retrim hats that needed a little care and attention.”
Wonderful workshops
The Pop-Up shop space encouraged Susan to expand into teaching. “I put together some small beginner-friendly millinery workshops, which proved to be very popular. We made feathered and Sinamay fascinators. Being able to offer space for small groups to work together made the workshop relaxed, hands-on and great fun.”
A High Street effort
Susan’s success has been helped along by other local businesses and organisations. The Sourdough Hub, based next door, provided food for workshop attendees, while No. 55, a nearby women’s wear boutique, has been sending clients to Susan for hats to complete their racing and wedding outfits. Local charity, Newmarket Nexus supported the project with furniture and fittings for the space.
Jennifer Marshall from the Sourdough Hub, said: “It was so lovely to have Susan from Mill House Millinery as our neighbour. She is not only a fantastic milliner but she is such a wonderful and bubbly person. We were drawn to her immediately and we were amazed by her creativity and her passion for hat-making.
We cannot wait to have her set up shop next year! It has been such a pleasure getting to know Susan over these last few weeks.”
If you run a small business or are keen to try out a high street shop with easy in/out terms, get in touch with us on [email protected]
To get in touch with Susan, take a look at her website