WE SELL BY THE SEA, in the heart of Whitstable, is a sustainably conscious, community driven marketplace with a friendly atmosphere, selling products that don’t cost the earth.
Starting from humble beginnings, a damp and derelict betting shop, it’s been given a new lease of life by business owner and shop manager Octavia, becoming a beautifully stylized space brightening up the High Street, and offering a creative space for all!
Not only does the market try to support the community through supporting local businesses, but it also has a strong sustainability angle - tackling climate change by focusing on what individual small businesses can do.
Octavia says “I feel very strongly about us all shopping more sustainably. I think most small independent brands are a lot more sustainably aware these days. Whether its packaging or materials used, everyone is a lot more conscious.”
Octavia also describes the overall aim to offer an affordable space for the refreshing individuals running small businesses.
Individuals who use ‘We Sell By The Sea’ to share their unique ‘quality over quantity’ products to Whitstable stand out and contrast the big and not-so-personal chains which so often consume the market.
Continuing this note, the shop also offers a variety of workshops to the local community.
These include festive themed occasions including macrame, wreath and decoration making and also general all year-round events in the bustling market.
Throughout school holidays many kids’ workshops are available including cake decorating or even crystal/spirituality catered opportunities.
This again highlights the community aspect the market fosters as each workshop or event aims to appeal to different independent audiences.
Due to just how beloved this shop has become within Whitstable, Octavia describes the desire for similar shops in other neighboring towns and gestures to “a lot of planning going on behind the scenes”, again highlighting the influential nature the ‘We Sell By The Sea’ market embodies.
