What is better than one independent shop? Two independent shops of course!

Mother and daughter team Tina and Hayley Stephens offer a unique shopping experience with two stores in one - LoobyLou Yarns and Mint Plants.

Tina used to own The Wool Stop in Thornbury before selling the business and moving to Wales in 2015.

She moved back to the area at the same time Hayley left her IT job in London.

“We both needed something a bit different to do and so the idea of running a shop together came about,” said Tina.

They opened a shop in Long Street, Wotton-under-Edge, in 2018 before opening a second shop on The Plain, Thornbury, last year.

LoobyLou Yarns, run by Tina, sells yarn and fibres for knitting, crocheting, spinning, weaving and needle felting.

Tina also sells some of her own hand spun yarn.

“In Wales I kept my own alpacas and used to produce yarn that I had ‘grown’, sheared, processed and spun myself,” said Tina.

“Now I have to use alpaca fibre that I get from other alpaca owners but I process them all myself.

Mint Plants in run by Hayley.

Through her contacts with growers in Holland she often manages to find rare species, and can usually manage to track down plants that people are looking for.

Mint Plants also offers a consultancy service, where Hayley will advise you on plant requirements, and a maintenance service where she will take care of your plants for you.

“With the ‘two shops in one’ we think it gives customers a real treat to look at when they come into the shop, and the two products compliment each other so well,” said Tina.

For more information visit loobylouyarns.co.uk and mintplants.co.uk

lThe Gazette’s Love Local Business campaign encourages readers to support traders to help them recover from lockdown.

Any business wanting to be featured in our campaign should get in touch on 01453 769419 or email sales director oliver.spencer@localiq.co.uk