While last years festive season was far from our expectations, 2021 is expected to be bigger and better than ever before. Events are back on, we can shop in stores again and the city offers more chances than ever to get festive. This includes Croydon’s very own festive pop-up #CronxBoutique. Following a successful event in 2019, Cronx Boutique is bringing some positivity to the neighbourhood with its much-loved alternative festive shopping experience.
A collective of three local brands, East Croydon Cool, The Croydon Photographer and Johnny Howl Club, Cronx Boutique is not to be missed. The trio first collaborated back in December 2019 at the Made in Croydon markets at Boxpark where they set up the Cronx Boutique’s first pop-up on Caithness Walk. The unique space welcomes thousands of visitors, secured coverage in multiple press titles and raised money for local charities. The aim behind the boutique is to help enhance local pride, selling community-inspired artwork and merchandise and this year is set to put a real spotlight on local creatives.
Each weekend you can expect a different Croydon creative, including Three Piece Sweet (vintage clothing and vinyl), Ray Ray’s Flowers (floral bouquets), So & So Studio (slow-made vintage vibe jewellery), Mr Tinto (Colombian coffee), S.V.M (handmade dresses and accessories) and House of Lilah (art inspired candles and teas).
During the week, the Cronx Boutique will provide the Pick-Up Point for several local bakers (including Laborjee, Chatsworth Bakehouse and Dear Friend Bakery), who will be able to use the space to meet customers in a central location and hand over their baked treats. Music played in the Cronx Boutique will be courtesy of Croydon FM – the local community radio station that received FM Status in September 2021.
With interior design direction once again provided by Croydon based Creative Consultant, Laura Sawyer, the Cronx Boutique will not be your typical Christmas pop-up. The chic black exterior will be juxtaposed by organic materials including wood, stone, plants and dried flowers to create an environment now coined as “Dark Urban Sparkle”!
The Cronx Boutique is set to be the ideal spot for supporting local talent while also purchasing a range of innovative Christmas gifts. Prices will start from just £3 and include art prints, mugs, candles, tote bags, notebooks, and more.
Co-Founder Glenn Foster aka The Croydon Photographer speaks of the boutique; “High Streets across the UK have felt the impact of online shopping, business rates and lockdown. The Cronx Boutique aims to show how retail can be reimagined to better suit today’s consumer.”
Maddy from East Croydon Cool says of the boutique, “We believe local creatives can play a vital role in the re-generation of the town centre, and hope that the Cronx Boutique can become a case study for the type of initiative that could be invested in”.
When: The Cronx Boutique will run from Wednesday 3rd November to Friday 24th December as follows:
Times: 12pm to 8pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
10am to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays
Where: Address: 1 Caithness Walk, CR0 9XF (next to Mr Tinto Coffee Roasters)
