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Meet The Stockist: Frank, championing designers who work sustainably
Hello,
Anna here with another spotlight on a wonderful Hadley stockist, Frank in Whitstable.
Established as an art gallery and shop in 2006, they've been stocking Hadley for well over four years now and champion designers who work in a sustainable way. Owner and curator Mary Claire focusses on handmade, ethical pieces and engaging artworks, making Frank a celebrated destination gallery and shop we are very proud to be part of.
I have loved discovering some insights into why Mary Claire loves Hadley and what makes Frank so popular.
Q. Why do you love Hadley?
A. ''I love that you use recycled paper when possible and that the cards are naked to reduce single-use packaging.
The designs are quirky and fun, they also embrace areas other card companies dare not approach, like menstruation and sex at Charleston House!''
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Q. What are your best selling Hadley cards?
A. ''The hen concertina is a great seller and a personal favourite of mine. It’s beautiful and so much more than a card…more of a mantlepiece keep-forever decoration.
Q. Which are your busy days or seasons?
A. ''Being by the sea, summer is generally good, unless there’s a crazy heatwave when people don't have energy to shop.
December is always good - folk are not just browsing, they have a shopping list and are buying!''
Q. Describe your customer base
A. ''Frank focuses on handmade, ethical pieces and engaging artworks. I think we are known for that and those who are fellow travellers make us a destination gallery/store.''
Q. How do you display cards?
A ''All our cards are in our extension at the back of the space, rows of L- shaped plywood display them nicely,
I sometimes joke with customers saying ‘do come into our stationery department’… in that it’s quite a small space.''
Q. Do you have one piece of retail advice for other shop owners?
A. ''Be Ethical. A shop owner once said to me - 'What’s the point of naked cards, customers just ask for a paper bag’ .
Yes some do but others don't, we insist on zero plastic from our suppliers and ensure that orders we dispatch are wrapped in re-used and paper-based materials.
Stand up and make a difference, our planet needs as all to play a part - however small.''
Q. Which Hadley Card are you choosing to send next and to whom?
A. ''The floral ones are sweet and good for lots of folk. The fold-out train is a winner for my grandson :)''
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In June Frank celebrated 20 years of opening in Whitstable. Mary Claire, a practicing artist is planning to focus on her own practice and move to Falmouth and for the time being run Frank Gallery online, which has included a lovely new website, always maintaining a creative space and gallery and of course being ethical.
You can follow Frank on Instagram here
I'd like to say a huge thank you to Mary Claire for her time and the lovely photo's of the shop, it's a privilege to be stocked in Frank.
Thanks for reading, and do reach out to me if you would like to be featured in a 'Stockist Spotlight'
Anna - hello@hadleypapergoods.co.uk