Birmingham is known as a city that supports independent businesses.
From quirky cafes to real ale pubs to a variety of grocery, gift and fashion stores, there’s something for everyone in the diverse and lively neighborhoods.
This weekend is Independents’ Day – a campaign that supports and promotes independent retailers across the UK.
BusinessLive publisher Reach plc supports this initiative and the country’s independent businesses by providing promotional discounts as part of our ongoing #BackForGood campaign, which started in March.
These include a 25 percent discount on online advertising, 2-for-1 on print ads, as well as offers for Facebook and content marketing – click here to find out more.
To mark Independents’ Day this weekend, BusinessLive’s West Midlands team unveiled five independent retailers in Birmingham that are definitely worth a look.
Liquor store
The fashion retailer Liquor Store is housed in the redesigned Grand Hotel building on Colmore Row – complete with its own speakeasy bar hidden in the basement – which it moved to from the nearby Great Western Arcade in 2017.
Founded in 2012 by Phil Hazel, who worked for brands like Lee Jeans and Wrangler for 11 years, it is known for its denims, jackets and boots and the move four years ago allowed the shop to double in size.
It also carries a special leather collection called Barnes and Moore, which is handcrafted in Rubery, near Birmingham, along with accessories such as stationery, luggage and skin care products.
The fashion store Liquor Store moved to Colmore Row in 2017
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
Loki wine
Loki Wine was launched by Phil Innes in Birmingham’s Great Western Arcade in 2012 and has opened two more venues – Edgbaston in 2018 and Knowle just a few weeks ago.
In addition to its wine range, the company runs regular tastings and has launched an online retail service and virtual tastings from wine experts from around the world during the pandemic.
Prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, the store’s online side contributed 1 percent of its annual revenue, but it was expected that by trying these new avenues that would increase to 40 percent.
Loki Wine founder Phil Innes now runs three shops
Miss Macaroons
Miss Macaroon is a food manufacturer and retailer founded by Rosie Ginday in 2011 at University College Birmingham with a £ 500 grant for kitchen space.
The company opened its own prosecco and macaroon bar in the Great Western Arcade in 2016 and has celebrity chef James Martin and TV presenter Jeremy Vine among its fans.
Rosie was trained by Purnell’s owner Glynn Purnell and founded the company with the aim of making it easier for young people to enter working life.
It is now running a ten week training and work experience program called Macaroons That Make a Difference.
Rosie Ginday is celebrating Miss Macaroon’s tenth birthday this year
Root market
The Roots Market was opened in the Jewelery Quarter by chef and entrepreneur Andrew Goldsby last year.
He ran his own restaurant in France for 15 years before moving back to his native Birmingham in 2017 and bringing his experiences from his time there to the new store, which is housed in a former furniture showroom on Warstone Lane.
Roots Market sells local, seasonal, and organic foods, ready-made meals, and home-made cook-at-home recipe boxes, a range of natural vitamins and supplements, and toiletries.
Customers can also buy cabinet items from around 70 dispensers, similar to a pick-and-mix stand that aims to reduce plastic waste.
The Roots Market opened in the Jewelery Quarter last year
(Image: Roots Market)
Swordfish records
Founded in 1979 by Gareth Owen and Mike Caddick as rockers on Hurst Street, Swordfish Records remains a firm favorite with Birmingham’s music lovers to this day.
It buys and sells new and used records and CDs from its base on Dalton Street, which it has lived in since moving from Temple Street in 2013.
Over the years it has welcomed appearances by the likes of Henry Rollins, Billy Bragg and The Wonder Stuff in stores, and counts Dave Grohl, Robert Plant and Jamie Cullum among those who brought their habits there.
Gareth Owen co-founded Swordfish Records in 1979
(Image: Darren Quinton / Birmingham Live)