Name: Ismay Evans
Business name: Ismay's Ladies Clothing
Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 10-3pm (subject to change after lockdown)
Address: 16 High St, Ellesmere SY12 0EP
When did you open your business and why?
I was made redundant in 2014 from a clothing store here in Ellesmere and I'd been in the business since 2000.
I was wondering what I was going to do as I was the manager when the shop closed, but the store here in the High Street was available to rent, so thought now is the time and go alone.
It was a scary prospect and I absolutely love it.
Why in this location?
It was available but when I came to look at it, and as soon as i walked in, it just felt right. It's a little shop with a lovely feel to it.
It's a bit of a boutique after being in a department store, it's just the right size for me and it's definitely everything I would want from a shop.
It's just the right size and it's not too far from the centre of Ellesmere; a lot of my previous customers carried on and came to me so I've been supported by the town.
The shop itself is a little bit quirky – it's on two levels and it's just perfect for me.
Tell us about the business
It's ladies clothing.
I started selling ex-High Street but now I predominantly sell ladies Italian clothing which is free size – anything from an eight to 10 all the way up to a 30/32.
I have a wide range of sizes and I especially wanted to sell plus size because I'm a big girl myself, and it's difficult to get hold of.
I also sell accessories – handbags, jewellery, scarves plus I also sell my sister's – Kate Bright – bespoke fascinators.
She's down in Somerset but I'm her outlet for fascinators.
I am my own picker and it's not a flexibility I had in my previous job. The stock just arrived and I was able to tell the managers what sold or didn't.
But with the Italian clothing, it's what more people want.
I also sell tickets to events and functions when they will restart.
What is your proudest moment?
Just knowing that i have got the support of the town – that makes me so proud.
I get feedback from people about my windows, I get feedback on Facebook too and when I get that, it really does make me feel proud.
Any strange requests?
I've always said from the start that i would keep men's pyjamas in case anyone ever got caught short.
But hand on heart, I don't think I've had any strange requests since we opened.
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