A community-focused toy shop in Cardiff is closing its doors after a "tough year of rising costs coupled with fewer sales". The Honeycomb on Clare Road in Grangetown will shut on January 25 after just over three years of trading.
Mum-of-two Maia Banks who owns the store assured it's not the end of The Honeycomb, with a new retail space potentially on the horizon, while she will continue to run the store's 'toy library' out of a local community centre. She launched the shop in 2019 to make toys more accessible and affordable to those in Grangetown and beyond. It stocks a wide range of sustainable, inclusive and locally made toys, nursery items, and books.
It also hosts a number of fun events, including arts and crafts sessions and a weekly story time. Customers can sign up to the store's 'toy library', from which they can borrow toys for just £1 each per month and reduce the number of items that end up in landfill.
In a heartfelt social media post on December 30, 2022, Maia wrote: "It is with a heavy heart, and after many tears shed, that I must announce my beautiful little shop on Clare road will be closing.
"It is not an easy decision, but as many of you will already know, the economic situation for little shops like mine is not a pretty one. This has been a tough year of rising costs coupled with fewer sales, and it's just not feasible for me to continue on as I have been.
"BUT.. this isn't the end. The Honeycomb will be continuing on. We are lining up and hopeful about a new retail space AND we're moving forward with becoming a non-profit and continuing the toy library out of a local community centre. So watch this space.
"Our last trading day at 110 Clare Road will be Wednesday the 25th of January. We will continue to be open online during the transitional period after this date. And we will of course honour all vouchers no matter where we are.
"Watch this space for moving day sales and final events at this beautiful little space. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to all of you who have helped make this dream of mine a reality. This isn't goodbye, it's just see you soon."
Further posts stated the shop is having a 'moving day sale', with 40% off everything. To get more Cardiff news straight to your inbox, subscribe to our daily newsletter here.
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