THIS weeks trader of the week is Ju-Lous, a bespoke gift and treats business in Whitehaven who uses raw local ingredients which allows you to 'smell summer' which each product.
Julie Reed owns the cottage business called Ju-Lou’s. The kitchen used to create all the products is in Whitehaven and Julie makes things such as homemade artisan preserves, liqueurs and pickles which all follow tried and tested recipes.
Julie sources raw ingredients locally where possible and when seasons allow. She forages and grow her own fruit and vegetables to use to make her products. Julie spoke about this process saying:
"The purpose of preserving is to be able to store natures harvested bounty, so that it can be enjoyed throughout the year. Getting back to eating locally and seasonally, benefits both us and our plant, reducing air miles and food waste."
"There is simply nothing nicer than popping the lid on a jar of strawberry jam and smelling summer."
The business first opened just over 12 months, but Julie described herself as always being a ‘foodie’, with a particular passion for jams, pickled and condiments. She has said:
"No meal is complete without a dollop of some tangy and fruity to complement a dish."
Julie hopes her business can continue to provide products that are lovingly created and have that homemade taste that people can enjoy. Julie spoke about how she connects with people through her business, saying:
"Food is about lots of things, love, sharing, celebrating and savoury the seasons, something that I think recent years have reinforced. When I sell my products I get to meet like minded people and this is one of the lovely benefits of my venture."
Julie says thats there isnt a particular product of hers which has been the most popular as she used the saying 'one man’s meat is another man’s poison.' Some people opt for some tangy piccalilli, and others reach out to select a pot of sweet apricot jam that others have passed by. No matter what gets chosen by the customer, Julie has said:
"I just love it when they tell me that they have enjoyed their recent purchase. I often give out samples and ask for feed back. People real love the homemade taste that you get from the small batches that I make."
Julie started out with a career in nursing which she loved, but after starting her family, she wanted to have a go at sharing something that she loves. Julie found one piece of advice that stayed with her which was 'to promote something that you bore people with' and for her this was jams and preserves. She went on to say:
"I love any flavour combination and I can eat chutney out of the jar with a spoon and enjoy a sweet liqueur after a meal with a good coffee. So there you have, it my wee business was born."
The growth of the business has developed up slowly, which has been a really positive experience for Julie. She loves all her customers, who support her by shopping locally in Whitehaven.
A full range of Ju-Lous products are available at The Strand, and some items can be purchased from Seven, Kinsella’s, and The Rum Story. Check out the business on Facebook at Ju-Lou’s and Instagram at ju_lous1.
Read more:Whitehaven eatery promises 'delicious food, a happy smile and a friendly chat'
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