Inside one of St Werburgh Street's latest additions to its retail scene
A new independent family concept store opened just two months ago on St Werburgh Street.
Louison's arrival marks a hopeful pattern of independents opening their doors in Chester, following on from Aldous books and Utility, alongside Lucy & Yak and Karigarwala set to join soon.
Citing the store as a space to "bring the community together", by offering events for children and families, Marine Louison explained how her French heritage inspired the venture.
"We bought a house in Chester about four years ago," the mum of three told Chester Nub News.
"There wasn't anything in Chester where I would shop for my kids apart from the big branded stores. I was always shopping online because there wasn't anything in Chester.
"I had this idea and I was waiting for all my kids to start school, but then I saw this spot and I was like that's perfect, with the double frontage.
"I just like this spot; I didn't want to be like where somewhere was too busy."
In a family concept store you can shop for the whole family - with a curated selection of homeware, kids' essentials, unique gifts, clothes, cards and more.
The co-owner added: "We stock a few French brands, but they come from everywhere, France, Netherlands, Sweden - we've even got products that come from India.
"I'm trying to bring products that are very different that you can't really find in Chester."
Alongside stocking unique items and being dog-friendly, Louison wants to offer a space for community events in the city.
Soon Marine will launch weekly events such as story times for children, with free coffee and tea for parents - kicking off on Tuesday 5 August.
Monthly events for adults will include painting, candle-making, jewelry making, wreath making and more - with free drinks at the events.
The online shopping space is also a focus for the business owner, who acknowledged the importance of diversifying the brand's presence. She set to launch the online shop in a few months.
Marine pointed to the store's future online presence as one way Louison hopes to overcome the difficult economic climate for local businesses.
"Everybody that I speak to says they're not making money," she explained.
"We've had amazing feedback so far but I don't think just because it's an independent that it will bring people in.
"I think it just depends on how the shop looks, what the products are and the quality of the products that you sell.
"You have to have a strong business plan and know where you want to be and where you want to go."
With the shop heavily focused on stocking sustainable and well-made brands, often importing brands from across the world, prices can vary.
"You do some get young people coming in and saying, 'oh, it's so expensive'. But we are all about sustainability, so of course I'm not gonna bring stuff from China or things that are really cheaply made.
"That's not the vibe that we wanna bring. So of course it's gonna be a bit pricey, but it's quality things."
Citing rising import costs, she said: "I'm bringing a lot of brands from France, Netherlands, Sweden. I think some people don't understand how much it costs to bring those products.
"It is really complicated to make money but that's why I'm keeping my other job as well. I'm keeping two jobs."
Offering well-made and thoughtfully curated items in Chester, alongside creating a community hub, is at the heart of Louison's mission.
You can find out more about Louison here.
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