[Bovine Juice]

It opened on Friday and is 50 small shoplets within the old three story building. It looks fantastic, just needs all the units to be taken up as half are currently empty. The ones there have an art and craft bent with lots of jewellery, hats, old fashioned sweets. Could do with a few more blokey things like old toys, specialist records, niche books, etc but very impressed so far.

[Nanazola]

Where is Beano's Bovine?

[Bovine Juice]

Nanazola, on 31 January 2010 - 02:52 PM, said:

Where is Beano's Bovine?

It runs parallel with Surrey St market, do a left at the KFC as you head from George St tramstop and cross the high street.

[miss emma]

Haven't been in to have a look yet but will do soon.

A friend of mine is an amazing chef who now specialises in handmade chocolates. Have a look at his website - Indulgence Confectionery
This could be really bad for my waistline (and bank account) now he is in Croydon!

[JamesS]

Was sorry to see Beanos go but sounds like it has been put to good use.

[Nanazola]

Quote

It runs parallel with Surrey St market, do a left at the KFC as you head from George St tramstop and cross the high street.

Ta, will drop in next time in Croydonia

[bawheid]

I popped in on Saturday, a great addition to Croydon. For anyone with babies or little ones there's a great stall selling baby gros and t-shirts at reasonable prices. I got a baby gro with a picture of Animal from the Muppets for £8 for my friend's newborn son ... not as cheap as Primark obviously but I was in Spitalfields yesterday and similar stuff there was being snapped up by Shoreditch tossers for £25.
'Stuff' reminds me vaguely of the much missed Kensington market, or maybe that was just the smell of jossticks and the token goth I saw in there.

[JamesS]

Nipped in there today, it's excellent! Such a good idea, a huge range of shops, well worth a visit.

[Sevenof9]

The following article appeared on the BBC website about the store:

http://news.bbc.co.u...ess/8507703.stm

[Bovine Juice]

No sooner did it open... it's now closing down at the end of the month. Not enough traders to make it viable. Real shame, could have been brilliant.

[cha003]

Yes, a real shame. We went down there a few weeks ago and found a lovely lady selling corsets at really good prices. Ordered two, and am picking them up on Saturday. She reckons that'll be the end of her business, other than through the internet, though, as she can't afford a premises on her own.

[charlie]

Does anyone know if Stuff is still open please?

[Bovine Juice]

The email I received said last Friday was to be its last day.

[Bovine Juice]

Update from its owner:

With obvious regret, I had to announce the closure of this venture on Friday 30th April 2010.

We were simply not getting enough long-term tenants taking the stalls. I was hoping for more start-up businesses that were prepared to apply themselves in an enthusiastic and business-like manner. However, those who did work hard, took good money and were building a regular clientele. After only three months, the awareness of STUFF and the footfall through the doors were increasing very well and the newly opened Cafe had started to do great business. If only we could have kept going longer! But I never dwell on "if only" and I knew I had to re-think the whole operation.

Since we closed our doors I have been in talks with several parties who may be interested in taking the whole operation over and this is the direction I intend to pursue and I hope a new STUFF will appear. Ironically I have also had dozens of potential tenants approach me once we announced our closure!

Everyone who visited us said how much they liked the atmosphere, it really is unique and it took a lot of blood sweat and tears to build. It would be a crying shame if I had to sell up completely and rip out all the fabulous little shops, to say nothing of all the amazing memorabilia, much of which had been acquired over the years as BEANOS.

I am still optimistic and I will keep you all posted regarding any developments. Although I have had an awakening, I haven't forgotten my dream!

David Lashmar

[Elmo]

Another update from David. He's still keen and would appreciate input:

Quote

From: "David" <Beanos@cmp.dotmailer.co.uk>
Subject: WHAT IS HAPPENING TO STUFF?
Date: 23-Jul-2010 11:43:08 +0100

WHAT IS HAPPENING TO STUFF Market Place?

(if you don’t know what STUFF of CROYDON is all about,
sorry. Just delete or unsubscribe).

It has been over a month since I wrote saying that I was
hopeful of finding someone to take over our Market Place as
I was forced to close it at the end of April after only
three months of trading.

Although the public reaction was fantastic I could not get
enough dedicated traders who were prepared to make a
commitment and turn up on a regular basis. I was therefore
looking for either an individual or, preferably an
organisation with experience who were prepared to take this
potential money making project on.

I could try and sell the premises but there is so much of me
in it (especially after 15 years of BEANOS) that I simply
do not want to lose what I really believe is a perfect
premises for what I have built, namely, a venue for a high
class under-cover market place with an Arts and Crafts
theme. I am absolutely convinced that the Croydon people
would support such a venture which was, in fact, proven by
the high footfall we experienced during our short existence.

Since one of my main desires was to encourage
‘start-up’
businesses, I have recently been in talks with some local
professional organisations who promote this and I was
progressing very well however, I now learn that one in
particular, who operated on exactly the right principles,
has had their funding completely withdrawn and so this
avenue is now closed to me.

Nevertheless, I am still pursuing my dream of having built
something that Croydon will, one day, be proud of and will
re-create the fantastic atmosphere that BEANOS had.

As before, I am always pleased to receive any comments and
suggestions. In fact, if you know of an organisation who
might want to have a chat with me, I can email a brochure.
Just get in touch with me, direct. david.lashmar@gmail.com

I will keep in touch regarding developments via email.

David Lashmar