Award-winning business defies coronavirus and is set to open first shop in Teignmouth

With the sun shining and tourists out in full force, the team at The Drifting Bear Co, an award-winning, local creative business, will open their first bricks and mortar shop, ROAM, in Teignmouth on Monday 24th August.

While the doors to the Northumberland Place shop were set to open on Easter weekend, COVID-19 had other ideas. Not ready to give up on their dreams, the company founders, who won the notonthehighsteet.com Make Awards for “Start-up Success’ in 2012, have worked tirelessly to make their vision a reality. 

Selling a stunning selection of products from their popular online range, that are often seen in the media including The Sunday Times and Ideal Home Magazine, and bought by celebrity customers, ROAM will also be home to offerings from a number of other small, artisan businesses. From standout prints and coastal homewares, to organic cotton cushions and super soft blankets, the shop offers something for local residents and holiday makers alike, and with personalised gifts made to order in Dawlish, anyone can have a little bit of the seaside at home with them.  

The company has a strong ethical stance, and as well as hoping to be 100% plastic-free by the end of 2020, they will be planting a tree for every purchase over £10 that is made in the shop, which starts today as part of the shop’s preview opening sessions. 

David Emery, founder of The Drifting Bear Co, says, “We chose possibly the worst time in a generation to open a shop, but ROAM has been our dream from the start, and keeping that alive was a non-negotiable.  While plans were changed and dates moved, our belief that there would be some kind of return to normality has paid off. Being able to finally open ROAM is amazing, but something we did, on occasion, wonder if we would ever see.

Co-founder, Tanya Lock, adds, “We’re really excited about welcoming people into ROAM, in a coronavirus safe fashion of course, and being part of the thriving Arts Quarter in Teignmouth. We’ve used the extra time to ensure the shop looks fantastic and hope visitors will love it as much as we do.”

She further comments, “We pride ourselves on great customer service and selling beautiful, unique products, but we also want to do our bit for the planet. As well as using recycled, biodegradable packaging where possible, we’ll be planting a tree for every payment over £10 made in the shop to demonstrate that sustainability is at the heart of our business, both on and off line."

For more information head to The Drifting Bear Co. and for press enquiries, contact Natalie Trice at natalietrice@natalietrice.co.uk