A NEW business venture offering giftware, antiques, and crystals is set to open in Whitehaven, promising a treasure trove for local shoppers.

The business owner, Julie Graham, alongside her partner Martin, who are originally from Glasgow, moved to Whitehaven in 2007, before relocating again and fetching a business in tow.

The business will sell giftware including dream catchers, bags, and ornaments. Julie has also ventured into selling crystals including stones, points and sphere as well as jewellery. Her partner, Martin, who will  run the other side of the store will be selling antiques like clocks.

Julie's business model is not without historical hardships. Detailing her difficult past, Julie explained how her lifelong work ethic was dramatically disrupted. She said: "When I was younger I always worked, I had three jobs but in 2003, I had an asthma attack that was almost fatal and I ended up with a form of epilepsy, so I struggled to work and do things that others found normal."

“I ended up deciding after my daughter got older,  I wanted my own business."

Julie started attending car boots in 2015, selling crystal  before offering alternative giftware separately. After a year of running the split business, she merged the two and rebranded as 'Ethereal Stormz'.

Whitehaven News: Inside the storeInside the store (Image: Supplied)

She ran the business online, and would attend car boot sales, however in 2021, Julie was diagnosed with a static tremor which limited her mobility. This in turn meant the business was declining. She said: "My partner noticed the sales were slowing down, so we decided I have two options we either sell it off or we open a shop, and we decided to go for the shop."

In May, Julie viewed the property which is the former 'Cumbrian Properties' store and decided to go ahead. A stall in the leasing agreement meant the opening would be delayed, but Julie is now working on the finishing touches as she prepares to open shortly.

The news of the opening was well received, Julie said: "It's been amazing, a lot of people asked if I would open a store but with my health and the cost of living crisis, we didn’t know if it would be viable."

"But once we decided we would, the feedback and the amount of people passing and popping their head in as we get sorted, has been great."

Julie has big plans for the future, she said: "Our plan is to keep adding in different stock and having local traders in the store."

"We always want to take feedback and ideas from customers about new things they would like to see."