Ebenezer's Christmas Shop - Sidmouth, Devon
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member SMacB
N 50° 40.738 W 003° 14.320
30U E 483137 N 5614152
Ebenezer's Christmas Shop, Christmas shopping all year round, on Church Street, Sidmouth.
Waymark Code: WM16B3Y
Location: Southern England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 06/19/2022
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member bluesnote
Views: 0

Ebenezer's Christmas Shop, Christmas shopping all year round, on Church Street, Sidmouth.

"For many people, the classic festive hit 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday' matches their feelings towards their love of the season.

But for those who want to laud in the sentiment of Wizard's lyrics, one particular shop which is just a stone's throw away from the beaches of the beautiful seaside town of Sidmouth can offer punters Christmas all year round.

On Church Street, you'll find Ebenezer's Christmas Shop, and despite its grumpy namesake, visitors are sure to receive a warm reception with Santa never far away.

The independent shop is run by husband and wife team Caroline and Adam Baker, who opened the shop after their previous shoes and clothing business became untenable due to the rise of internet shopping.

"It was a make or break situation, really," said Caroline.

But not about to give up, Caroline decided to turn one of her life's passions into a new business offering something a little bit different - the joy of Christmas all year round.

So, with the help of her mum and her husband Adam, Ebenezer's Christmas Shop was born.

Caroline said she'd loved Christmas since she was a child and that although her mum assures her otherwise, she remembers it as being a time with "an abundance of everything".

"Christmas is special," Caroline said.

"Everyone's got more time for you even though they're busy. There's just a lot of love in the air, isn't there, really? And it doesn't appear any other time of the year - so I like it."

The shop sells Christmas gifts, decorations and wrap all year long, and its customers can also enjoy a bite to eat on-site in Scrooge and Marley's Tearoom.

Its decor is homely and inviting, with a fireplace, a Christmas tree complete with presents and an overhead soundtrack of festive crooners.

Caroline said: "People feel like they're going into their friend's home for a cup of tea - whatever they may be having a snack, a lunch. The whole atmosphere is just nice."

Caroline and Adam are fast approaching their fourth (actual) Christmas running the shop and are glad to find it still bringing smiles to people's faces.

"Having got through a pandemic, it's definitely working," said Caroline.

She admits that "not everyone gets it", but said the shop particularly appeals to holidaymakers.

She said: "The footfall is particularly high in the summer.

"Even those that aren't particularly interested in Christmas in June they will come in because it's different, and they can say, 'I've been in a Christmas shop in June.'

"They're quite shocked but pleasantly surprised once they're in."

Adam added: "On the whole, most of our customers that come in the shop are just very happy and pleased and Christmassy-type people."

The shop is, of course, child-friendly but also welcomes dogs, and shop volunteer Fiona is on hand to have a chat and help people enjoy their visit.

Adam said: "We try to cater and make everybody feel comfortable while they're here."

"The locals support us November and December time," added Caroline.

"Other than that, it's the holidaymakers, but we're a holiday destination, so that's all year round.

"Everyone's been very receptive of it and the last Christmas, actually, we did have a lot more bookings for Father Christmas, and I think that's because everyone was worried that there was nothing.

"But because we were here, we could close and have just one family in at a time, whereas at the garden centres, it wasn't so easy because they were so full."

But when every day in your family's life is Christmas, is it easy to let the real thing creep up on you? Or even to get sick of the sight of Santa and his sleigh?

"No, no," Caroline said clearly. She could never imagine getting fed up with her favourite holiday, but did admit the big day can sometimes catch her off guard.

"I'm never ready - never ready," she said.

"But the saving grace for me is we live upstairs. We'll nip down and take a decorated tree and run upstairs with it, so sometimes that might even be Christmas Eve or Boxing Day."

Running the business doesn't mean they get much time off either.

Last year Caroline said they were able to switch off for a week in December, but once the 25th has been and gone, it's time for them to get ready for their January sale.

Some time off is something Adam said is definitely high on his Christmas list this year - but they've got a special buffet lunch to sort with Santa first in the run-up to the big day."

SOURCE - (visit link)
Address::
Ebenezer's Christmas Shop
Church St
Sidmouth , Devon England
EX10 8LZ


Website Address:: [Web Link]

Phone:: 01395 708351

Store Hours:: Tuesday - Saturday 9:30am–4pm

Visit Instructions:
A photo of you or your gps with the store in the background.

If you are up to blessing us all with additional photos see if you can find some Christmas displays (Santa, Christmas Trees, or Nativity Scene).
Search for...
Geocaching.com Google Map
Google Maps
MapQuest
Bing Maps
Nearest Waymarks
Nearest Christmas Stores
Nearest Geocaches
Create a scavenger hunt using this waymark as the center point
Recent Visits/Logs:
There are no logs for this waymark yet.