A POPULAR shop owner is closing her quirky store after 20 years of trading at the heart of the community.
Jaz Hendy, owner of Shabby Chic Interiors in Horse Street, Chipping Sodbury, is retiring, with the store due to close at the end of the month or the start of October.
Described as a 'mainstay' of the town centre, the store sells unique items including furniture, clocks, mirrors, candles, cushions, jewellery, kitchenware and more all spread across five rooms.
Dozens of customers have been quick to praise Jaz on social media, with many saying her store has helped them through house moves and furniture changes.
Ms Hendy said: "I have had 20 wonderful years at Shabby Chic and would like to thank everyone who has supported my shop and bought wonderful products, gifts and treats from me.
"My staff, past and present, have been amazing and I couldn't have achieved 20 years without their immense help, support and respect for my business.
"I'm truly blessed to have been brought up in a business-minded family which gave me a life of buying and selling, taking risks and sourcing the best products.
"Thank you everyone for all of your kind messages and support and for being part and parcel of my journey in one way or another, it means so much."
Ms Hendy plans to spend her time helping her parents with the maintenance of the family farm but she will continue her interior design work from home.
Reflecting on her career, Ms Hendy noted the changing retail landscape, with more customers shopping online.
And acknowledging the impact of the cost of living and rising bills on spending, she predicting a decline in independent shops, saying: "Independent retail has changed so much over the years and people are more happy to shop online now than supporting local businesses.
"The cost of living and the increase in general utilities has made people more aware of their everyday spending.
"My general view is that there will be a lack of independent businesses in the near future due to increased costs and lack of footfall.
"My main reasons for retiring is to support my parents but the above points have also contributed to my decision."
Looking back on her journey, she is proud of her achievements and the unique products she has sourced from across Europe.
"I have enjoyed travelling to Europe to buy products which were different from other High Street shops and I regularly did day trips twice a year to the Paris interior show Maison&Oɓjet just to find something a bit unique," she said.
Looking back at what has driven her, she said: "I look back and wonder how I did it but drive, determination and an eagerness to succeed was all I wanted to achieve and I believe I did that.
"I will continue my interior design work from home and I will miss my wonderful shop, but things need to come to an end and it's an end of an era for me here in Chipping Sodbury."
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