HAWKIN’S BAZZAR
I might as well continue with the Christmas theme – “but how so?” I hear you ask.
Well Hawkins Bazaar is a quintessentially British institution that comes into its own at Christmas time.
To look at the company’s brochures you’d think there was a Mr Hawkins who set the establishment up in the same era as the old Curiosity Shop. However, the business only started in the 1970’s by a Mr Templer, and is now run by his son Toby. It seems the store - originally opened as a local Toy Store - was situated in an old pub called The Hawk Inn - and from there you can guess the etymology of the name.
It’s a company that is as zany and fun-filled as the products it sells. Their main trade comes in the lead up the Christmas and employ 154 more staff in the hectic rush at that time, than they do in the summer months, when only 6 people work at their warehouse.
They say they want to give people the Christmas we all want to have experienced: “We’re selling the dream” says Templer. Look at the website or catalogue and you can see that childhood favourites are on display – and not a single BRATZ doll to be seen anywhere!
Now it’s easy to be cynical of any business that makes such a living from the Christmas period - to see their quaintness as gimmicky. However, I believe there are too few companies like Hawkins around, those who passionately believe that the customer comes first.
Hawkins Bazaar is a SPIRITUAL WEIGHTLIFTER not least because one look at their brochure brings my childhood memories flooding back. A soap cat that grows hair, an ice mummy, magic teacher, real mini-brick house building kit and stocking fillers too cheap to believe are simply the tip of this veritable child-at-heart's iceberg.
I enjoy buying from Hawkins, as much as giving gifts from Hawkins to my children – and joy-of-joys receiving a gift that I know came from Hawkins.
For me placing my Christmas order with Hawkins has become as ritualistic as putting up the Christmas Tree for writing Christmas cards. It’s interesting to note that Hawkins say many of their customers place their orders on the same day each year.
Now Santa, here’s hoping you bring me that Champichute I asked for...
Well Hawkins Bazaar is a quintessentially British institution that comes into its own at Christmas time.
To look at the company’s brochures you’d think there was a Mr Hawkins who set the establishment up in the same era as the old Curiosity Shop. However, the business only started in the 1970’s by a Mr Templer, and is now run by his son Toby. It seems the store - originally opened as a local Toy Store - was situated in an old pub called The Hawk Inn - and from there you can guess the etymology of the name.
It’s a company that is as zany and fun-filled as the products it sells. Their main trade comes in the lead up the Christmas and employ 154 more staff in the hectic rush at that time, than they do in the summer months, when only 6 people work at their warehouse.
They say they want to give people the Christmas we all want to have experienced: “We’re selling the dream” says Templer. Look at the website or catalogue and you can see that childhood favourites are on display – and not a single BRATZ doll to be seen anywhere!
Now it’s easy to be cynical of any business that makes such a living from the Christmas period - to see their quaintness as gimmicky. However, I believe there are too few companies like Hawkins around, those who passionately believe that the customer comes first.
Hawkins Bazaar is a SPIRITUAL WEIGHTLIFTER not least because one look at their brochure brings my childhood memories flooding back. A soap cat that grows hair, an ice mummy, magic teacher, real mini-brick house building kit and stocking fillers too cheap to believe are simply the tip of this veritable child-at-heart's iceberg.
I enjoy buying from Hawkins, as much as giving gifts from Hawkins to my children – and joy-of-joys receiving a gift that I know came from Hawkins.
For me placing my Christmas order with Hawkins has become as ritualistic as putting up the Christmas Tree for writing Christmas cards. It’s interesting to note that Hawkins say many of their customers place their orders on the same day each year.
Now Santa, here’s hoping you bring me that Champichute I asked for...
posted by Drew Buddie | 9:29 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home