We live in a world where mass produced tat from countless online stores surround us daily, with cheap items that seemingly everyone has bought – but wouldn’t we all like something that’s a little more niche? Perhaps a little more unique? Well fear not, for we’ve gathered together five of the most captivating indie boutique shops in Manchester.

Find something unique at Stockport's Still Life Story

Still Life Story is a homeware and lifestyle boutique in Stockport’s old town and has a plethora of trendy and unique items awaiting its customers. Founder Ruby Friel travelled the world, visiting new and exciting boutiques that sold amazing objects, and she has made it her goal to open a shop on which all of these inspirations can come together in a kaleidoscope of colourful items. They sell a variety of homeware objects including furniture, kitchenware and decorative pieces. Their items can be as cheap as £6 for their beautifully crafted Brass heart tea infuser, all the way up to their £700 bespoke benches. Whilst some of their items can be deemed to be expensive, you can rest assured that your purchase will stand both the test of style and time.

 

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Embrace elegance at West Didsbury's Moth

Moth is an interior and lifestyle concept store based out of West Didsbury. Founded by stylist and designer Hazel in 2006, this store offers its customers beautifully simplistic and effortless decor for the home. Donning a collection of European brands, as well as homegrown UK brands, Moth caters to those who wish to decorate their home with items specifically designed to be eye catching and simple. Homeware items such as their Carro Lamp can be quite expensive, retailing at £189 – but they have some reasonably priced items like their stylish Nido Glass, coming in at only £2.50. They even sell gifts sets for Dogs. Selling at £25, this pooch friendly set includes hand crafted peanut butter and Banana bone-shaped biscuits, made with fresh bananas and natural ingredients, a ceramic bowl and a postcard (though your dog may need help reading it.)

 

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Dot Goods

Dot Goods comes from founder Nicola Rowland who has been selling online for over 10 years. She has only recently opened her gift shop in Altrincham where she sells an abundance of gifts, trinkets and even freshly made local bread and coffee. Her items also have a focus on being sustainable, with ethically made t-shirts that are created with organic cotton, as well as cards printed on recycled stock and packaged in biodegradable bags. Considering the quality, uniqueness and eco-stability that these products bring, they are very reasonably priced. For instance, they sell a trendy beanie hat for only £10, as well as the creative Colour me kids skin colour crayon set for just £4.50.

 

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The Old Cobblers

Next up is the Greenfield-based The Old Cobblers. This quaint little boutique sells craft beer, fine wine and quality coffee, with a clear emphasis on securing local and environmentally sustainable produce wherever possible. What’s not to love? Lou Henderson and David Bell made it their mission to open up a shop that they would be proud to shop in, and that they have done with a wide range of unique products available to every customer. They even have a small space in which you can enjoy your purchases directly – though we doubt you’d want to whip out a keg at the table (which are fantastically priced as low as £20 for five litres, by the way).

Twig

Twig is an independent home and lifestyle shop based in Monton, Salford. They sell little trinkets and gifts such as cards and tea lights, as well as larger items such as vases and side tables. The owners, Nicola and Louise, carefully select each and every one of their products, stocking items from British and Irish designers as well as some larger known brands. One item that caught our eye was their stunning glass cocktail shaker which adorns Yvonne Ellen’s iconic illustrations, retailing at £20. Their vase collection is also impressive, to say the least. Their wave vase in particular is elegance personified, selling at just £23. So, whether you’re looking to spruce up your home in lockdown, or just want to send someone a little treat, Twig could be the perfect destination.

 

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Fri 29 Jan
Words:
Ben Esson
Published on:
Fri 29 Jan 2021