A third gift store, in Bexhill-On-Sea, East Sussex, has been added to the Greats award winning Maybugs portfolio, with customers queuing for an hour before the doors opened last Friday (1 July). Cllr Paul Plim, Mayor of Bexhill, was given the honour of cutting the yellow ribbon to declare the new store officially open, with other VIP guests including local dignitaries, business owners and the chamber of commerce.
“Once again, we have been stunned by the love for Maybugs!” exclaimed delighted co-owner Greg Rose. “We know our existing customer base will love the new store, as all of their favourites are there, plus lots of products that are exclusive to the Bexhill store too. What I find exciting is watching new customers discover us for the first time. It’s a bit like David Attenborough on a discovery to a new planet, with all the “oohs” and “aahs” as customers work their way around the store inspecting every inch.”
Maybugs stocks a huge array of quality gifts, homewares, jewellery, toys, fashion accessories and fragrance with price points ranging from £1 to £1500. Brands include Jellycat, Wrendale Designs, Sophie Allport and Carrie Elspeth as well as locally made merchandise such as Soaps, Artworks and Textilez.
Explains Greg: “Maybugs is like our child, and it’s just so special to see it grow and blossom. You’d think by the third one it would get easier, but this store has been particularly hard work to get ready. However, with the help of our fabulous team and our superb suppliers we have pulled it off and are so proud of it. We may be a small independent business, but we like to think we can give the big shops a run for their money!”
He adds that part of the ethos is not just to be a shop but to also be part of the community. “Therefore in addition to sponsoring the Hailsham Hockey Club and Eastbourne Pride we are thrilled to have partnered with Charity For Kids – a local children’s charity which provides help for disabled, sick, and terminally ill children – by launching their 2023 Bexhill fundraising calendar.”
Maybugs was established in 2018, by Greg and his partner John Dale, with the first gift store opening in Hailsham.
Three years later, the couple opened a second Maybugs gift store in Eastbourne. In addition, Greg and John also own Flowers by Maybugs, a contemporary florist based in Hailsham that opened in 2019.
In addition to winning The Greats 2022 London, South, South East and East Anglia category in May, Maybugs was also shortlisted as one of eight finalists in the High Street Hero awards at The Smalls UK small business awards earlier in the year.
Top: A third Maybugs gift shop opened in Bexhill-on-Sea on Friday July 1. Shown are co-owners John Dale (left) and Greg Rose.
