Austin & Co is the card shop that sets tails wagging, teaming current greeting cards, gifts and stationery with dog treats and accessories. It’s a winning combination, as the owner of this dog-friendly has just been named Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer for Wales and the Midlands by the greeting card retail Industry.
Housed in the former Bray’s department store in Great Malvern, Austin & Co stocks cards for all occasions from baby showers to sympathy, plus many designs for personal messages.
Designs feature many amusing sentiments with not just dog themes and collections by contemporary makers such as Dandelion, Ohh Deer and The Art File. Owner Sean Austin is always looking for quirky newcomers to add to his curated collection.
Gifts include Chilly’s bottles, Roka bags, planners and funky Doodlebone dog accessories.
Sean, who launched the shop in 2011, says: “It’s always about being a bit different to the homogeneity of the High Street and selling what you know. I know cards and dogs!
“My dog, Nessa, was better known than I was but I lost her this year. Her memory lives on through with our annual Christmas dog food collection. Now we have got a 22 month old rescue Labrador, Lucy. She isn’t shop ready yet, but she will be.”
Cards can also be ordered online, but for the real experience, a visit to the shop is a must.
