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QUAINTWAYS
The success of their
Llantwit Major shop
prompted Sally and
Andrew Rabjohns
to open one in
Whitchurch.
We called in to
find out more.
Sally – what’s your background?
I worked for ten years as a social
worker mainly based in hospitals,
supporting people and their families
who were affected by cancer.
I became interested in complimentary
health at this time and trained in
Reiki and energy healing.
I now take courses in Reiki.
Andrew has collected crystals and
minerals all his life. He worked in
the mineral exploration department
at Cardiff University and has a
particular interest in geology.
He has a great eye for picking
quality pieces.
When did you set up Quaintways?
Four years ago on a part time basis.
We opened weekends initially and as
the business grew we opened more
days. We now open four days a week
in Llantwit Major.
Why did you set it up?
Having worked for ten years in a high
stress job I decided that I wanted to
make a life change. Having worked
with people with chronic and life
threatening illness it became apparent
to me that stress is a major factor for
many illnesses. I wanted to set up a
shop where people could find
products that could help them relax.
Why did you choose Llantwit?
Llantwit Major seemed the perfect
place for our shop. Many people who
live and visit the area say Llantwit has
a special energy or feeling to it.
Llantwit is steeped in history and is
an important spiritual site with St
Illtyds church dating back over 1,500
years. Back then it was a church,
monastery and school.
Do you employ any staff?
We employ four members of staff.
Kerry is managing the Llantwit Major
shop. She was one of my first
customers and is a keen crystal
collector. Charlotte is working in the
Cardiff shop. She has worked in
crystal shops for five years and has
trained in crystal healing. My two
daughters have also come on board;
Kirsty is at University, and will help
out in the Cardiff shop part time. Alys
is still at school and will be working
on Saturdays. Both are keen to learn.
What products do you offer?
We have a large collection of crystals
and minerals, and we specialise in the
more rare and unusual types which
are of interest to both collectors and
healers. We also have a wonderful
range of gem stone jewellery. Our
main supplier is a mineral collector
and his wife is a designer so we have
many original pieces. We also have a
great range of gifts.
Where do you source your items?
We like to source our products from
fair trade companies. All our products
are hand picked.
Do you offer any services?
In Llantwit Major, Karen Ball offers
crystal therapy and is a Reiki Master.
She offers one to one sessions on
Wednesdays. We also run courses in
crystals and Reiki throughout the
year.
What training have you had for
these treatments?
I have trained to master level in Reiki,
and have also trained in energy
healing. Karen is also a Reiki master.
She has also trained to an advanced
level in crystal healing and is a
qualified reflexologist.
Who are your customers?
Our clients range from young
children to more mature people.
We have customers who are crystal
and mineral collectors, customers
who buy the crystals for their healing
qualities and others who love our
jewellery and gifts. We try to offer
something for everyone.
We have great support locally. In
Llantwit our customer base has
grown steadily over the years, and
the business has grown mainly from
word of mouth. We also have many
people that travel to us from far and
wide. Basically from all parts of the
country.
Our new shop in Whitchurch Village
has been welcomed warmly by local
people. Many know us from Llantwit,
but we are also reaching lots of new
customers.
Are they mostly regulars?
We have lots of regular
customers, but each week
we attract new people,
keen to find out more
about our crystals and
minerals or just popping in
to find that special and unique
gift for someone.
What makes Quaintways special?
We hand pick all our products and
lots of care and thought is put into
our range of goods. We offer a warm
and welcoming shopping experience
because we want our customers to
come back!
How do you choose products?
We are constantly learning about our
products. Andrew spends a lot of
time researching and sourcing new
crystals and minerals. We learn a lot
from our customers as many are
experts in this field.
You’ve recently expanded.
Why did you choose Whitchurch?
We wanted to bring Quaintways into
Cardiff and looked at many different
areas. We decided to set up our new
shop in Whitchurch Village because
it has a nice energy about it and
although it is a busy shopping centre,
it retains its village and community
feel and is easily accessed from the
M4 motorway.
Quaintways
Colhugh Street, Llantwit Major
CF61 1RE
01446 790416
quaintways_gifts@yahoo.com
www.quaintways.com
Open Thurs, Fri, Sat 10am to 5pm
and Sun 11am to 5pm
Also at Bishops Road, Whitchurch
Cardiff CF14 1DJ
029 2052 0184
Open Mon - Sat, 9.30am to 5.30pm |
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