We're lucky to be part of a supportive and creative community in the seaside town of Margate in Kent. Our new blog series celebrates some of the other independent businesses in our part of Thanet. Because at The Store Collective, we firmly believe in collaboration over competition.
In an age of instant online purchases and convenience, there’s something truly refreshing about the charm and impact of shopping locally, in person. For towns like Margate, supporting local businesses and shops doesn’t just make for a lovely way to spend time on a trip here; it actively fuels the community’s prosperity, creativity and spirit.
When we spend money locally, more of it stays within the community. Multiple studies show that for every pound spent in a local store, a greater percentage is reinvested back into the community than if that pound were spent at a national chain or online retailer. These small businesses are more likely to bank locally, hire from within the community, and rely on other nearby services, creating a multiplier effect that boosts everyone. This reinvestment is powerful, and ultimately each purchase helps build up the local economy and supports the families and makers behind these small businesses.
We're lucky to have some incredible shops and boutiques in Margate, especially in the Old Town. The first in our monthly 'Love Margate' blog posts hones in on some of our favourite lifestyle and gift stores. The places we head to for unusual presents or for a treat for ourselves or our home. Watch out for future installments focussing on artists, local makers, clothing stores and antique shops.
Read on for The Store Collective's Top 5 picks for gift and homewares shopping in Margate Old Town:
Aarven
Tucked away along King Street is Aarven, an ethical homewares and jewellery store that sells products designed by their UK team and made by hand picked artisans in developing countries. Close working relationships with those makers mean everyone in the process is looked after. The store also features pet accessories from their sister brand Hiro & Wolf.
Location: 34 King Street, open Thurs-Mon
Our top pick: Their baskets by female weaving cooperatives in rural Kenya.
Harbour & Tide
A modern beach store selling goods for seaside life, they've everything you need for a souvenir or for your home by the sea. It's brimmed full of a colourful mix of everything from changing robes and swimsuits (available to hire as well as buy) to stationery and homewares. A beautifully sunny spot just up from Turner Contemporary.
Location: 38 Fort Hill, open Thurs-Mon
Top pick: Poems by the sea - a beautiful collection of love letters to our oceans.
Number 32
An eclectic selection of gifts and homewares. Run by mother & daughter duo Dulcie and Eva, this gorgeous store is filled with quirky, maximalist pieces and lots of colour. They also have a fab selection of striped chunky knits, RED changing robes and other clothing.
Location: 32 Hawley Street, open Thurs-Sun
Top pick: Light up your life with a Margate Glows, 3-D printed Lido Lamp
Margate Bookshop
Independent bookshop in the heart of the Old Town selling everything from fact to fiction and a small selection of local titles. They arrange regular instore events with authors and a monthly bookclub at Fort Road Bar. You can also grab hot drinks from the store.
Location: 2 Market Place, open every day
Top pick: We love their Megan Metcalf postcards, especially 'Grumpy Seagull'.
Scissortail Home
Luxury homewares filled with Scandi inspired designs and neutral colours. It's a peaceful haven that's immediately calming when you go in. Filled with beautiful ceramics, soft furnishings and more, in natural materials. They also curate a lovely range of sustainable children's toys and clothing.
Where: 33 Hawley Street, open Thurs-Sun
Top pick: Their gorgeous 'Sweet Baby' organic cotton, toy elephants for children.
And of course no round up of Margate's gift boutiques would be complete without a little mention of us, The Store Collective. A design-led curation of gifts, homewares and clothing from the UK and Europe. Expect a riot of colour with unusual pieces filled with personality. We're all about the theme of Shop Small, Shop Local, Shop with Purpose, encouraging shoppers to spend their money on lovely things that will last rather than dispoable items and fast fashion that is more likely to end up in landfill.
Where: 26 Hawley Street, CT9 1QA, open 7 days a week (closed Tuedays in November & January).
So if you're visiting Margate (or indeed live here), why not check out one of these gorgeous shops and help keep our local economy thiriving!
Lovely to feature your local neighbours.