Rangiora business takes new name
Aspontaneous survey of a couple of good friends convinced Emily Rowse it was the right thing to do. ‘‘How do you pronounce the name of my shop?’’ she asked them.
‘‘What about the spelling of it? Do you think you could write it down?’’
They shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other and confessed just a little sheepishly that they had never quite got their head around Femme de Brocante – though they loved the shop to bits.
That did it for Rowse. If her friends could not pronounce it, how could she expect her customers to do so? The answer was simple – the name had to go. Thus, when shoppers step into the premises at 15 Coronation St, Rangiora, they are now entering The Fabric of Society.
Rowse feels good about the new name.
‘‘It reflects who we are. Yes, there’s a play on the word ‘fabric’ but it also relates to how we do things. The business is not just what we physically sell but it draws people in with a common thread, so to speak,’’ she says. ‘‘We’re a part of the community and we have a role to play within it.’’
For 12 years, the name of Femme de Brocante served its purpose – even if it did not dance lightly off the tongues of those who visited it.
As of April 1, the business became The Fabric of Society and, to celebrate the change, Rowse has declared anyone buying during the month of April will receive an automatic discount of 10 per cent.
They will also receive an assurance that, with the exception of the name, everything about the shopping destination will remain the same.
Those who haven’t listed the renamed store among their favourites yet, will still be able to locate it under its former name.
While fabrics are among the core items offered by The Fabric of Society, the business has an ever-growing range of diverse items, many of which make perfect choices for those searching for gifts for a special occasion.
A recent visit to the Autumn Gift Fair in Auckland has provided a steady stream of new products flowing into the shop with many others still to come.
One that is sure to prove popular is
People can come and see us to expand their decorating ideas and to help them get creative. Emily Rowse
The Fabric of Society
your own personal Sol coffee cup, manufactured from glass with a silicone grip on the outside, that can be taken to your favourite cafe´ to be filled with a takeaway hot drink.
The Living Light candle selection that creates a warm and welcoming ambience in any home is a readymade gift source for those looking for a thoughtful present that will be well received.
The Fabric of Society has a pleasant collection of inspiring books, some of which will catch the eye as coffee table specimens. One offers useful advice on how to dress advantageously for particular occasions such as job interviews and another tells inspirational stories from New Zealand role models of note. Yet another reveals valuable interior design recommendations for a variety of scenarios.
Lamps and lampshades, furniture, both new and pre-loved pieces, some of the latter having been given new life with creative and imaginative refurbishment, and the much-sought Annie Sloan Chalk Paint range are other big sellers for The Fabric of Life.
Even if you do not walk out of the shop with an item you could not resist, there is every likelihood you will take with you the benefit of friendly advice from one of its knowledgeable staff.
‘‘People can come and see us to expand their decorating ideas and to help them get creative,’’ Rowse says.
‘‘Some people are inclined to second-guess themselves and sometimes need a little reassurance they are on the right track. If they are not, we can point them in the right direction.’’
She says The Fabric of Society staff can visit a client’s home and, for a small charge that is taken off the price of any fabric that is purchased, a consultation is provided.
The Fabric of Society is located at 15 Coronation St, Rangiora. Ph 03 310 7635. Visit thefabricofsociety.co.nz