Ottery shop finalist for two Exeter Living Awards - after winning Best Retailer last year

A shop in Ottery St. Mary has been named as a finalist in two categories in the Exeter Living Awards - best Retailer and best New Business. 

Devon Eco Boutique has moved to a new location within Ottery and has changed its name from Eco Baby Box. 

Last March, Eco Baby Box won Best Retailer in the 2022 Exeter Living Awards, and the owner is thrilled to be nominated again. 

Nicci Simpson (32) is the owner of the newly named Devon Baby Boutique, and she lives in the town with her husband Karl and son Ollie. 

Having initially launched the shop online in 2021 whilst studying for a degree, Nicci found the business was so successful that she opened a physical outlet in Ottery in September 2021. 

Since then, the business has grown from strength to strength. As a result of its success, Nicci relocated to a larger premises. The re-branded shop still sells the popular favourites of the Eco Baby Box but Nicci is now able to sell a wider range of goods. 

Nicci's husband Karl created and designed the original shop using reclaimed materials and when it moved last year he was tasked with creating a larger, but equally warm and welcoming, environment. 

Nicci told Nub News: ""We may have changed names, but we still have the same values. 

"It's important to us to be more than a shop. We will continue to support the community we live in, bringing classes to the area, a warm and inviting space people feel if they can come even if they are having a bad day. 

"I am proud to collaborate with makers from near and far to bring a range of beautiful items in-store and help people to reduce plastic whilst offering a range that's affordable for all."

"I am absolutely buzzing to be a finalist and really looking forward to attending the event and being able to network with local businesses.'

"People have been so supportive to date. I hope people will continue to support us as the store evolves."

Most of the products for sale are UK-based independent and small businesses, which Nicci loves to support because they try to reduce their waste and do their bit for the environment, just as she does.

Products sold in the Devon Eco Boutique include children's clothes, organic sweatshirts, jewellery and other accessories, handmade vegetarian belts and sports t-shirts made from recycled plastic and eco-friendly homeware and cleaning items. 

As well as selling new products, the shop also has an exchange system which allows people to exchange pre-loved clothing and toys for in store credit, a practice Nicci said is becoming increasingly popular. 

As a mum herself, Nicci knows how busy life can be for parents and so she wanted to create a space where mums and dads would enjoy visiting - and their children would enjoy spending time too! 

The shop has a changing table and baby weighing scales with height tracker that can be used anytime the store is open and there is also a toilet, a rocking chair for feeding / or resting. There are also toys available for children to play with. 

The Exeter Living Awards said the Devon Eco Boutique: "Provides a distinctive shopping experience mixed with caring charitable ethics.

"It is an aspirational local retailer at the top end of baby boutique, and truly paving its own destiny."

Devon Eco Boutique is located at 11 Broad St, Ottery Saint Mary EX11 1BY. You can find it on Google Maps here.