The owner of a clothing and accessories shop in the Covered Market is celebrating her 30th anniversary working at the store.
Samantha Mellish became the owner of Next to Nothing in 2015 and her family’s links with the store go back five decades.
Now she is celebrating three decades since she joined the team in 1992.
Ms Mellish thanked her customers on Facebook, saying: “Things may have changed a fair bit in that time but The Covered Market is still a fantastic community to be part of.
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“Today we are in a slightly smaller venue in Avenue 3 but our stock is still a wonderful mix of colourful, original, ethical, and inspired.
“Here’s to another 30 years.”
In May last year Ms Mellish and her mother Doreen celebrated the family’s 50-year link with the store.
Her mother, Doreen Bourne, now in her seventies, helped her daughter during the pandemic by making face masks to combat the spread of coronavirus.
Mum-of-one Ms Mellish, who lives near Abingdon, said at the time: “Fifty years ago my family moved to Oxford and my mum discovered the Covered Market.
“To make a bit of spare cash she started sewing, making bags and selling them to Next to Nothing, taking me with her when she dropped them off.
“Mum then moved into an office job.
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“In the meantime, I started working in Next to Nothing and eventually became the owner in 2015.
“2020 arrives and along with it the pandemic.
“Like many others, my mum, who at 75 was still working full time, was furloughed and then made redundant.
“To keep herself busy she started sewing again and began making face masks for me to sell.
“I just thought it was a great story that she had come full circle after 50 years and that I am now the owner of the shop she used to sell to!”
Next to Nothing is a bright shop selling fun T shirts, clothing and accessories.
The website says: “Alongside our fantastic funny slogan t-shirts, which you can find here on our website, in our shop we also stock beautiful clothing from brands such as; Nomads, Adini and Brakeburn.
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“These ranges use wonderful fabrics, colours and prints and promote fair trade. There are styles and prices to suit all shapes, sizes and budgets. In the summer we also have gorgeous versatile linen from Italy. We have amazing accessories including bamboo socks, bags, aprons, reading glasses,mugs, cheeky tea towels from artists Sarah Edmonds and Simon Drew and the largest selection of pretty scarves – perfect gifts for everyone. In the winter we add cosy hats and gloves, slippers and the best Christmas stocking fillers.”
After 40 years in Avenue 4 the store has moved into a new venue in Avenue 3.
Visit nexttonothing.co/about-us.
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