An independent family-run business, which traded in Chester from the late 1960s until 1999, has made a triumphant return - with the children of the original owners at the helm.

Thingummys was originally founded in Liverpool in 1966 by Alan and Susan Brown. Originally based on Watergate Street, it eventually expanded and became 'Indesign' - finding a new home in Rufus Court, where it remained until 1999.

Selling furniture, fabrics and 'thingummyjigs', the store rapidly became the go-to place in Chester for designer and artisanal pieces, offering Arabia Ruska dinnerware and furniture by designers including Bertoia, Kartell and Alvar Aalto.

Thingummys was originally founded in Liverpool in 1966 by Alan and Susan Brown (Image via: Kirsti Wheeler)

Now, 26 years on from Indesign closing its doors, Alan and Susan's children have revived the Thingummys name.

Ceramic artist Kirsti Brown has taken on the project alongside her brother, Thor Brown, with the help of Kirsti's husband Cassian Wheeler.

Describing the 'exciting' project as something the siblings have wanted to do for a 'long time', Kirsti said: "As a maker myself, I want to support makers and small businesses in helping to enable them in making a living from their skills and crafts.

"It's nice that the three of us, myself, Thor and Cassian, can work together to bring the spirit of our parents' shop and its history back to Chester."

Thingummys sells a range of handmade homewares and gifts, along with cards, decorative items and jewellery (Image via: Paul Crofts)

Taking on the premises formerly occupied by Lily Vintage on St Werburgh Street, Thingummys sells a range of handmade homewares and gifts, along with cards, decorative items and jewellery.

The store's ethos is to only stock pieces by artisan makers, mainly from the UK, including several from Cheshire, the North West of England and North Wales.

These include ceramics made by Kate Smallwood from Chester, by Jane Williams from Eryri, and by Kirsti herself (as Kirsti Hannah Brown).

The store also stocks 3D printed vessels by Keeley Traae from North Staffordshire and bold graphic printed homewares by Keeley's husband, Dom Marshall.

The store's ethos is to only stock pieces by artisan makers (Image via: Paul Crofts)

Plans are also at an advanced stage to open up the upper floor of Thigummys as an exhibition space in 2026. 

Co-partner Cassian Wheeler added: "I'm so pleased to be part of continuing the Thingummys story.

"Although we've only been open for a short time so far, it's been wonderful to meet and talk to our customers – both those local to Chester and to visitors – and to share the stories with them of both Thingummys and of the things that we are selling.

"It's curious to think that, despite it being so new, next year will mark the 60th birthday of Thingummys!".

Thingummys is currently open seven days a week, Monday - Wednesday 11am - 4pm, Thursdays & Fridays 11am - 5pm, Saturdays 10am - 5pm and Sundays 11am - 4pm