'A seaside shop in the middle of Halesowen': We visit the independent gift store which offers so much more than shopping

Owner Stella Weston prides herself on providing a welcoming and safe space where every single person who steps through the door feels at home.

The shop sells a wide range of items for customers who are looking for the perfect present such as ornaments, candles, jewellery and crafts.

When they are not browsing the shelves, shoppers can rest their feet in the little cafe area where Stella serves hot drinks and cakes made by local bakery business, Happy Bakes.

“People have said it’s like a seaside shop in the middle of Halesowen town centre, which to me is lovely,” she says.

Bella’s started life as an online store selling handmade items in 2013 and the first bricks and mortar premises opened in Blackheath in July 2021.

“I built up an online community and during Covid, sales really picked up through my Etsy shop. I grew in confidence and I felt it was the right time for me to open a shop,” explains Stella.

Bella’s later moved to Summer Hill in Halesowen where it was based until June this year, when it relocated to 1A Hagley Road.

“We were in Summer Row for three years and we had outgrown the space so when this unit became available, I decided to go for it,” explains mother of five Stella.

Family members helped with moving the stock and furniture to the new premises, which was previously home to a cobbler for 47 years, and also worked tirelessly alongside Stella to get the shop ready to open.

“I have a very supportive family, including my husband Stephen – we were childhood sweethearts and have been married 25 years this year. My mum, Judith, and my auntie, Yvonne, run the shop for me on Fridays,” says Stella. “Dad, a retired carpenter, did so much with all three shop makeovers –  he's my hero,” she adds.

Stella is relishing having extra space in the shop to house more stock and host workshops and events, as well as the opportunity to get more creative with her window displays.

The shop offers a range of different craft workshops and upcoming classes include the chance to make an autumnal wreath on September 14 as well as stained glass on September 25 and intermediate crochet on September 28.

All of the materials needed for the sessions are provided along with hot drinks and cakes.

As a way of ‘giving back to the community’, Stella has also organised free events, including an introduction to first aid and a bereavement support session.

Ensuring Bella’s is part of the community is very important to the 45-year-old, who enjoys chatting to and getting to know her customers. “I love interacting with people, making a connection and supporting them.

“We get a lot of regulars who come in for a coffee and a chat.

“As well as a shop, we’re a place for people who are feeling lonely or need cheering up.

“We also have a number of visitors who have disabilities and we have some vulnerable people in the town. They come here because they know they are safe here,” says Stella.

Running a small business can have its challenges and one of those is dealing with quieter days when footfall is lower than usual.

Stella has learned to embrace social media and uses it to promote her business and encourage people to visit the shop.

“I think the social media part of it is very important and I work very hard at it.

“The shop does struggle with footfall some days so I use social media to bring the shop to the customers on quieter days.

“People have come into the shop and said they have seen one of my posts so it is paying off for us. I think it’s really important to be honest when we’re having quiet days because I have built a really good relationship with my followers. I know they will think of me when they need a birthday gift,” she says.

The shop means everything to Stella and she has been delighted with the way the community has also taken it into their hearts.

“I live and breathe it. I have invested so much of myself into the shop and I’m proud that we are a safe place for so many people. 

“We’ve lots of good relationships with lots of customers and they’ve now become really good friends,” she adds.

For more information, see https://www.facebook.com/people/Bellas-beautiful-things-x/100064813446373/