John Lewis and I go way back. Our wedding list was held there, we bought a lot of the furniture and appliances for our first house from there. We buy Christmas presents from there, beauty products from there, stationery, food, cooking and baking equipment. I think I may have a little bit of John Lewis running through my blood, such is the amount of time I have spent in their stores over the years.
So when an email landed in my inbox asking me to visit the new John Lewis at Home store before it was opened to the public I almost jumped out of my seat and ran on over to camp outside the door. Little did I know that what I would actually receive would be a private tour of the new store with the manager Claire Dunkason.
I live in West Sussex so to get a John Lewis in my area means I no longer have to schlep for miles for an ‘in- store feel good factor’. And it is this feel good factor that runs through the heart and soul of every store that keeps me and people like me going back again and again. Nothing is too much trouble, you’re never made to feel like you are bothering the staff when you ask them a question, the customer service is brilliant and of course the ‘stuff’ that you can buy there is…well it’s all very, very tempting.
Would you like a tour of the new store?
Come with me, I felt like a kid having been shut in FAO Schwartz all night right before Christmas. It was BRILLIANT!
It is a large store with a fantastic atrium as you enter. The manager Claire was telling me that she had great plans for this space as the seasons change. We discussed what it would be like at Christmas but I got a little too excited at that point so I’m glad the conversation moved on. Sorry, Claire, Christmas does that to me!
Now this you’ll love. This is a range called Maritime. I’m an absolute sucker for coastal chic and this does it for me especially as we’re moving to a house fantastically near to a sandy beach!
I’d put these on the table if we were having a barbeque at home one hot sultry evening. We have seagulls fly over our house often and I’m sure you’ll agree that they make a sound that transports you to a time and a place in an instant.
I have a thing for keys. Do you?
Fresh, vibrant new takes on classic designs. LOVE the shade of teal adorning these items. I could see the enamelware kettle on a beach bonfire, boiling away quite happily while we fish for mackerel.
Bon-bon jar anyone?
Yes, I thought so.
Now these are special, these houses are part of a range called Playnation and I’m more than a bit in love with it.
The kitchenware is stunning and useful and practical and I love it…..again!
These storage jars have that lovely heritage shade of sage green which I think will making an appearance in my new kitchen so these will certainly match it.
And the measuring cups and spoons are to die for.
Thank you so much, Claire, for taking time out of your very busy day to show me around personally. You are very hands on, you have a huge passion for every item that your store carries and this shines through.
As customers we want the department store of old to come back with a vengeance.
We want department stores to be more personal, we want to see the managers walking the shop floors chatting with customers, we want to know that if there is a problem with an item we bought we can bring it back and not be stared at and then slightly abused.
Chichester is a wonderful, wonderful town. Our twins were born in the hospital there and we received care from the nurses and midwives that was extraordinary. So needless to say going to Chichester brings back huge memories.
And now I have another memory. I got to walk around one of my favourite stores, when it was empty and not even open to the public, and savour all the fabulousness that it was busy creating.
I’m extremely lucky.
I love you and thank you so much for reading.
Cherry x
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I am loving the maritime chic – right there with you on that. I think I spotted a very lovely cushion in one of those photos that I might have to go and take a personal look at! JL is very close to us and I love it too. One of the best days was walking around with that gun selector thing they give you for your wedding list – heaven!
Thank you for sharing your photos (drooling). Lucky you having your own personal tour round the new store! I’m fortunate to live just a few minutes drive from a store and spend many happy hours wandering around there lost in my own world of John Lewis loveliness. My son got to work there over Christmas too and loved it. Nothing but praise. Enjoy : )
I never, ever thought I would actually *lust* after measuring cups and spoons…
You are a very lucky lady x
I love love love JL! I think it is quite possibly my favourite store. We are very lucky to have a really big out of town home store in High Wycombe and I have heard rumours that it might get even bigger. It has a fab amount of homeware and beauty but no nursery department as yet. Would love that as we have just found out our second baby is going to be twins(yes I will be re-reading your diary for guidance) so there will be a fair bit of shopping to be done in the coming months! Pleased there is now a JL in Chichester too as it is one of my favourite places as it’s where my Grandparents lived(well West Wittering actually) and we go there as often as possible. Thanks for sharing your private tour with us. Really lovely. F x
What a great looking place to shop! I wish we had one in the United States, but I live in the state of Wisconsin and I’m sure it wouldn’t be close to me here anyway. You are very lucky indeed!
I live in Southampton and forget how lucky I am to have a John Lewis right on my doorstep. I will make sure I give it the due respect the next time I visit (I’m loving all the eastery bits and bobs they have in right now).
As usual your taste is impeccable. Those photos are just what everybody wants to see. I could buy something from each section. My nearest John Lewis is Bluewater and sadly I just don’t get there as often as I’d like to but buy lots on line. Excellent value for money. You are such a lucky person Cherry to be able to do these things.
I am BEYOND jealous. We still don’t have a JL in Leeds (how is this possible???) despite rumours of one being built for years. Another reason why i need to move back home to the south coast… Lovely photos – that maritime range is gorgeous.
I would LOVE to know how many things there are made in China—I am so disappointed by the number of things made there, even though many may be lovely. Does that exist in the UK as well?
Looks like a wonderful store—so many delightful things!!!
xo
Joann
I have just returned from the newly opened John Lewis in Chichester and it was very busy, so obviously a lot of JL fans in the area.
I, also like you Cherry feel I have JL in my blood, this goes way back to walking around the haberdashery section with my mother in Bon Marche which used to be in Brixton. I have spent many happy hours wandering around various JL stores and am never disappointed, my friends and family think I’m a bit obsessed and slightly over reacted with the news that the store was opening in Chichester.
Glad to hear that you and others feel the same. I guess you will be making some purchases for you new home which by the way hope plans are going well.
Happy Days x
A classy store without being too threatening. Lovely quality stuff that the average Joe Bloggs can afford.I love the coloured measuring spoons. In fact I’m going to buy some and send them to you Cherry.
You lucky spud!!! I am drooling. The bad news ..I live in Canada now and we’re not getting a Johnny’s House any time soon. I miss it A LOT. (When I get off the plane in Glasgow on a visit home I go straight there with my Mum …no stopping.) Just the words “haberdashery department” are enough to set me off. The good news ..they deliver here now! I might just need one of those fine seagulls to fly all the way over… Thanks, Cherry. I’m off to look at all of those lovely pics again now….
Ahh! Love it! Haha my mum used to be a manager at John Lewis and she says she still has green partnership blood running through her veins, even 20 odd years later! Peter Jones is the ultimate in my opinion.. definitely one of the things I miss most about London living!
I just love John Lewis! Everything about JL is first class right from the quality of their products, the layout and presentation of their stores and most definitely their customer service! We are luck enough to have had our John Lewis at Home store open since October last year and what is even better for me is that my son works for them – so I have the added bonus of ‘Staff Discount’!!!!
What an amazing post. I think John Lewis is everybody’s favourite. Thanks for the wonderful time at your place last Saturday night Cherry. The meal was so tasty and the house is filled with peace and love even though we were surrounded by packing boxes it still felt like home. We laughed and cried on the way home discussing the evening. You have been a good friend over the years and your encouraging words have proved invaluable. I think I need to take you for a little treat to your favourite store and look for some house warming gifts. Love you lots
Oh, my, loved everything except the oddly colored measuring spoons… brings back memories of walking through Macy’s just “window shopping”… it made you feel good to go in there and spend some time with beauty, and that store you have shown us surely does that!
Beautiful photos of a gorgeous shop. I’ve been looking forward to this store opening and I hope to take a trip over there this weekend. Lucky you getting a preview!
wow Cherry it all looks so lovely!! I LOVE all the maritime things! We signed up for our JL wedding list last week, now I’m extra excited to get choosing all our goodies.
Love Sarah. xxx
Sarah – you will have a ball! Enjoy!
Wow! I also have a bit of JL green running through my veins and even spent my morning there today! My earliest memories include being taken to their cafe by my mum and Nanna and being allowed to order pancakes.what a fabulous opportunity to be able to look round before they were open. Xx
I LOVE Jonny LooLoos!
I have a theory that nothing bad can ever happen there. Even when they get it wrong, they put it right…in spades.
I’m very envious of you having that store close by.
I am going to be as polite as Bex and say i am VERY envious!!! I live in Northern Ireland and there is a long drawn out ‘battle’ going on between John Lewis and our Planning Service… They want to build a store here (handily in the town where i live yay!!) and have been trying to get permission for years now
After seeing this my fingers are very firmly crossed that John Lewis gets the go ahead and I get to experience the ‘in-store feel good factor’ for the first time!!
Much love and have a wonderful Easter.
Gillian x
I Love that you love John Lewis!
they are an exceptional company who have a dear place in my heart
my mother, father and Grandmother all worked there for over 25 year a piece and i had my first full time job there and my kid sister had a job with them in September 
not only do they keep the old school way of serving customers alive but they treat their employees with great care (something i have never experienced in another job) Plus there stuff is AWESOME!
I’m so glad this new store holds true to the good taste and ethos we know and love, we have a new store opening down here in Exeter and i could not be happier! no more long haul trips to Bristol for me!!
It’s an ugly word Cherry, but i’m going to say it – I am very jealous! Perhaps I should say envious – yes that is much more polite.
)
I LOVE John Lewis (we had our wedding list there too) and had forgotten until I heard on the radio this morning that the new At Home store was opening today. Thank you for this post as it has given me the much needed and timely motivation to finish the admin jobs that I MUST get done today (so a tenant can move in to our rental property next week) and then I can get straight on over there to check it out. The only problem i’m going to have is restraining myself from spending too much!
Were you allowed to shop while you were there? or do you have to go back for all the things you have your eye on?
Thanks for the beautiful pictures as always.
Take care, Bex.x
lucky you.
x
Lucky you!
I love those cup measures.
Thanks for the tour Cherry