We started 2021 in yet another lockdown
But it didn’t last forever.
This year has seemed both endless and incredibly quick, it’s been laborious yet invigorating – it’s been a torturous slog but also it’s been an amazing year of growth for April and the Bear. A year of contrasts let’s say.
We kicked it off with lots of a packing, packing your online orders. Orders that went all over the world – orders full of love and well wishes to friends and relations that you couldn’t see but wanted to remind that you loved them. As we shifted into spring, plans were afoot for a relocation for the store. We had grown, both our team, our stock and our business and we needed more space. So we planned and negotiated and planned some more.
The A+TB Team
This year we grew our team to seven. Super interior designer Emma Delaney joined us in early Spring, as did our wonderful visual merch lead + assistant manager Sorcha Herlihy and when we moved to the new space – we added the glorious Laura, Alice and Rebecca. And of course I must mention Louise Ryan, our manager extraordinaire – not a new addition, but without whom A+TB wouldn’t have survived the last 2 years!
We left Wynnefield Road in September
And moved about 10 feet away to the Rathmines High Street. Despite the fact that we only moved around the corner – the move was ALOT of work. The shop fit took months and months and even just moving the stock around was dramatic to say the least. I still think my favourite memory of this move was our moving sale and THAT QUEUE. I still can’t quite get over it – it went all the way down the road and around!
New A+TB Exclusives
We launched a slew of exclusive products this year – like our gorgeous Lavender Leaf candle in collaboration with Somas, I will never not love that scent!
We also launched our exclusive wallpaper collection – a collaboration with Folk + Nest.
In July 2021
We launched our second exclusive collaboration with artist Rachel Joy Price – It’ll Be Grand. An collaboration I’m still so in love with and proud of – shot here by Katie Kavanagh.
In Sep 2021
We launched our exclusive stationary range with The Completist. This was such a fun and stress-free collaboration – I love each and everyone of these pieces.
And then of course the Power of Women 2021 awards by Stellar Publishing.
I was nominated in the Lifestyle category and with some deadly business women, and had the most wonderful day – didn’t win but meet incredible entrepreneurs and it felt so GOOD to be back amongst those I find the most inspiring.
Personal Highlights include –
My Bear + growing cub, oh how I adore them. Absolute madzers that I couldn’t love more.
Our chilly + sunny jaunts to Youghal in Cork where we just spent time with our family. I’ll never not want to be next to the sea.
The incredible Bo Burnham and his impeccable ‘INSIDE’ – it perfectly encapsulated this INSANE year.
The House and Home magazine cover! I still can’t quite believe it!
And all of you, genuinely – your support over the last year has been incredible. Thank you so very much.
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