Our retailers are such an important part of the Wonderful World of Victoria Eggs. So, in celebration of the incredible people we work alongside, we’re proud to bring you our first ever Retailer of the Month.
*trumpet fanfare sounds*
First up are a very special team of people, who we’ve had the pleasure to work alongside for over 11 years.
Born in 2011 (coincidentally, at the same time as Victoria Eggs!) The Bees Knees is an online and brick & mortar store located in Acton, Massachusetts (about 25 miles from Boston) run by the fabulous Lucinda, Donna and Trish.
Named as Boston Magazine’s ‘Best Shop for Anglophiles’ in the Best of Boston Awards 2023 and described as ‘the largest regional importer of British artisan goods, including tableware, textiles, and everything you could ever need for a proper cup of tea.’
The store has become a home-away-from-home for local expats, and Brits abroad, as well as US customers who appreciate fine homewares and gifts.
We caught up with Lucinda to find out a little more about their store.
Tell us about your store, Lucinda.
What makes us is our first-class customer service, excellent and careful packaging of products we ship and our welcoming atmosphere and sense of community we provide in the shop.
Our story began in 2011 as a small online store. From the beginning we have been committed to curating a collection of beautiful homewares and gifts from quality British brands. In 2020, we opened our first pop up location.
Now we’re located in the most beautiful 100 year old building, which is a treasure trove of all things beautiful and British.
The store sells pottery, bone china, textiles, candles, soaps, lotions, stationery, puzzles, tins, greeting cards and food items, mostly made in the UK, and all designed by British designers.
We ship all over the US and beyond, and customers come from other states, just to visit the shop. Sometimes we even ship back to the UK!
Describe your shop in three words.
Welcoming, Unique, Enticing
What's important to you as a shop owner?
The best part about being a shop owner is interacting with the customers, whether it is on the telephone or in the shop. People come in to share stories of growing up in England, trips to England, college time in England, about their ancestors who came from England. There is always a story to hear. It is also great finding fabulous new products and brands for us to stock.
What's your favourite season in the shop?
Our favourite season is Christmas! As soon as Halloween is over, we transform the shop into a winter wonderland with Christmas trees and fairy lights. We love the warmth and excitement of the season and all the beautiful products we have to display in the shop.
It is great to see the excitement of customers coming into the shop to find a special gift or to buy food items that they enjoyed during their childhood or when they lived in England.
We also introduce customers to new things like Christmas crackers (did you know, they are a relatively new thing in the US?!).
We love to see the joy on the customers’ faces as they see the selection of items we have chosen for the shop for this season.
Why do you choose to stock Victoria Eggs?
We choose to stock Victoria Eggs because we love her unique designs and the quality of the products. We also value that all the products are made in the UK – this is important to us and our customers.
We love that all of Victoria’s products have a British theme which we and our customers also love. And Victoria is a joy to work with.
What's your favourite Victoria Eggs Collection?
Hard to say! Big Smoke. We love English Dinner too. Oh, and Afternoon Tea too. I can’t choose!
Where can people find you?
566 Massachusetts Ave, Acton, MA 01720
Website: www.thebeeskneesbritishimports.com
Facebook: @TheBeesKneesBritishImports <The Bee's Knees British Imports | Acton MA>
Instagram: @BeesKnees_British_Imports https://www.instagram.com/beesknees_british_imports/
Pinterest: @beeskneesbi