The rebirth of the Market Quarter continues this weekend with the opening of a new ladies boutique on Greenwood Street.
Madam Butterfly opens its doors for the first time on Saturday in the space previously occupied by the doomed Beatnik Shop.
Selling women’s clothing, jewellery and accessories, it was previously based in the Traders’ Outlet on The Downs.
And owner Gaynor Berry, who has signed a three-year lease, says she has wanted to open her own shop for a while – and is delighted to have found a spot in the burgeoning Market Quarter.
“With everything that’s happened with the market area, I’ve been popping down and just kept thinking that this was going to be the place to be if I ever got a shop,” she says.
“My partner knows Carl (the Beatnik’s owner), so we heard on the grapevine that it was available. We were quite lucky to get it.”
Below: The new Madam Butterfly shop on Greenwood Street
Originally from Altrincham, Berry moved to London when she was 20, selling silver jewellery on Camden Market before moving to Greece.
She moved back to the area when her daughter started school 14 years ago, and for a while had a little shop at the Willow Pool Garden Centre in Lymm – where the Madam Butterfly brand was born – before taking space at the Traders’ Outlets in Sale and then Altrincham.
Originally she specialised in jewellery and accessories, but a couple of years ago branched into clothing – and has steadily built a loyal band of regulars, of all ages.
Below: Gaynor Berry in her new shop
“I like pieces that are a bit different,” she explains. “My customers range from 16-year-olds to glamorous ladies in their 70s who like to come in. I try and aim for everybody rather than one age group.”
Initially she’ll be open every day except Mondays, and will open late on Thursdays until Christmas to coincide with the Twilight Markets across the road. In the new year she’ll be joined by her partner, who’ll be setting up the online side of the business.
“I’m very excited,” she adds, “and I’m just hoping that all my old customers find me here, and that in this spot a few new ones will too. I’m confident about my products and what I do.
“There are crossovers, like Laundry Boutique, but I have more accessories and jewellery. I don’t think there’s anyone doing the same.”
Below: Some of the shop’s jewellery collection, and its shop sign
