It was fantastic to open the doors at 18 North Main Street for the first time as Foggie Toddle Books at the end of June. I didn’t make a big song and dance about it as my new sign wasn’t quite ready and I’d opened with reduced hours just to see how the new shop layout worked. Sadly, I’ve had to put away the play area and all the toys for the moment but the new format, whilst not quite as welcoming, does make things safer for customers. There are baskets placed around the shop so people can feel free to browse and place anything they don’t wish to buy in them to be quarantined.
On Saturday 11th July the fabulous new sign was put in place above the shop. The sign has been designed and created by Wigtown artist William Gorman, who trades as Will Gorman Art. His mum and dad very kindly came along to lend a hand so that I was free to stand about taking photographs and explain to people what foggie toddle meant. The feedback we’re getting on the new sign is further proof that the new business is heading in the right direction.
There are new Foggie Toddle products coming on-line. We’re currently having Pauline Paterson’s wonderful Wigtown Scotland’s National Book Town design being made into prints and greetings cards. We also have our own local postcards currently being printed by J&B Print in Newton Stewart. Where possible we support local businesses.
Another great aspect of being able to open the physical shop is our ‘Artist in the Back Room’ feature. Every few weeks we showcase the work of local artists or crafters and this month you can find the work of Studio 17, Raw Art and Galloway Art. They produce a range of lovely gifts including mugs, prints, decorated slate, phone stands, cards and much more. Caroline and Fran are based just along the road from Wigtown in Whithorn, which is well worth a visit if you’re in the area.
And finally, sales of The Wrecking of the Orion, the local history title about a Victorian shipwreck off Portpatrick published under the Second Sands imprint, have gone amazingly well and we’re now looking at producing a second print run.