A STORE in Dursley is in the running for two prestigious national awards - just after a year since opening.
Gift shop Helens Wishes in Parsonage Street has been nominated in two separate categories at the Retas 2024 Greeting Card Retailer Awards.
The annual awards recognise excellence across the whole greeting card retailing spectrum.
The store - which was previously known as Just to Say - reopened in April last year with new owner Helen Williams, who left a career in human resources to run the business.
Helens Wishes has been put forward for best greeting card retailer newcomer.
The business has also been nominated for best independent greeting card retailer initiative, for its project called thinking of you week.
Helen said the nominations “came as a big shock” and says she is “extremely proud” of herself and her “fabulous team".
She said: “Being nominated came as a big shock to me especially as they are national awards and I have only been in this industry for just over one year.
“However, I am of course extremely proud.
“As any small business owner knows, every day can bring a different challenge but, getting nominations like this really makes all the hard work worthwhile.”
Asked about how the first year has gone, she said: “Quickly!”
“As they say time flies when you are having fun and, we have had lots of fun in Helens Wishes.
“It’s not until I sit and reflect that I realise how much has been achieved from raising money for charities, celebrating all the different seasons such as Mother’s Day, Easter, Valentine’s Day and of course Christmas, to launching a new party range and much much more.”
She added: “My future plans for the shop are to continue serving my customers with everything they need for their celebrations and/or occasion.
“We pride ourselves on having the largest range of bespoke greetings cards in the area so, this will be continually reviewed to keep the variety fresh.”
Winners will be announced at a lavish event in London in July.
Helens Wishes is the only independent shop in the district which has been nominated at this year’s awards.
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