Alice Maxwell reports on the opening of the The Arran Gift Box shop in Brodick.
Shiona and Tom McGarrigle have opened their first shop, in Brodick, selling their own creation – Arran Gift Boxes. Shiona is a local lass from Lamlash, and met Tom in Glasgow. During their time in the city they ran the Arran Cheese Shop stall at farmers markets and the Glasgow Christmas Market. They realized how popular Arran goods were and when they returned to Arran they decided to expand. Their gift boxes now sell products from the following businesses:
Arran Whisky
Isle of Arran Gin
Arran’s cheese shop
Arran Fine Foods
James of Arran chocolates
Tartan Tablet of Arran
Arran Rocks T-Shirts
Focus for Adventure photographic prints by Kirsty Smith
Arran Antlers product
Jess MacDonald Brass jewellery
Catriona Tod’s Prints
Until now their business was purely website based. Over lockdown they were very busy as many folk wanted to send presents to loved ones who they were unable to visit. Although after opening the shop, most of their customers remain website based, the shop allows visitors and locals alike to see and feel the products when they are displayed and although it might be a difficult time to open a shop, they are sure that in the long run they have made the right decision.
At the moment their favourite product is the Arran Gold lover Gift Box.
When it came to setting up the shop Shiona says “all of our suppliers have been really helpful, and friends and family have helped set up the shop, we couldn’t have done it without their help”.
Shiona and Tom have two lovely girls, Evie and Erin who love to help out in the shop. In their spare time the family love spending time together and enjoy playing and listening to music.
With Christmas coming up, why not support Arran business and send a Gift Box to a loved one?
Visit the new shop or call on 01770 303556, or visit the website at www.thearrangiftbox.com
With thanks to Alice Maxwell for this article.