Two south Bristol artisan business women are making the thriving area of North Street their permanent home as they open a new shop on 228 North Street.
Xanthe Ivory, 28, a florist who hails from Somerset, and Bristol-born chocolatier Zara Narracott, 25 met at the bustling Tobacco Factory Sunday market two years ago. Since then, they have been expanding their businesses, with Xanthe taking an unusual pop-up in the foyer to the Tobacco Factory, and Zara selling her handmade chocolates in shops and deli’s across the city and being part of the Chocolate Exhibition at the MShed.
With North Street now rivalling the renowned Gloucester Road for independent shops and an artistic hub it made sense that Xanthe and Zara would make North Street their permanent home. The shop commenced trading on Saturday 30th November and compliments the shops already on North Street.
Xanthe said: “It’s no exaggeration to say I love flowers, the changing seasons and creating arrangements that make my customers smile. It’s what gets me up at 5am to go to the flower market. I am so excited that I am opening a new permanent shop with Zara. Who doesn’t like chocolates and flowers?”
Zara added: “My passion for chocolate is all consuming, I am constantly looking for inspiration for new shapes or flavour combinations. North Street and the local residents have been so supportive it is fantastic that we can make it our home.”
Zara and Xanthe have plans to offer classes in chocolate making and floristry workshops in 2014, and Zara will be creating her handmade chocolates from an area of the shop visible to customers.
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