OUR STORY | Ivy & arlo

Gifts & Clothing for Little ones...

I’m Sarah, mum and step mum to three ever growing children, a super bouncy sheepadoodle and a tortoise called Jeff.

I’ve worked in retail since I was 14 (yes back in the day 14 yr olds could work in shops until midnight dishing up pizzas & burgers!)

I’ve covered so many genres of retail, but my favourite was the 15 years I managed a local nursery store. I won’t mention my worst!

In September 2019 I left retail behind and went into merchandising….for a whole 4 months! On the 26th January 2020 I literally stumbled across a teeny tiny unit on my local high street inside a children's play centre that was coming up for lease. I knew it’d be snapped up in a millisecond so I emailed the owner whilst my other half was unobtainable in Italy on a work trip. We had a hilarious conversation about it once he’d arrived at the airport and we decided to go for it! My dream could actually become reality very randomly and with such spontaneity. Right place, right time.

So, ivy & arlo opened in Horsforth, Leeds on March 7th 2020. Keeping our local highstreets alive and full of colour is super important to me. Recently we’ve had an influx of amazing new shops opening on New Road Side, Horsforth and it makes for a busy little high street once again.

Choosing what I think people will love to give and receive; from new baby gifts, up to 7yrs (when the world is still magical and playing lasts morning, noon and right up until that moment they fall asleep).

However just 9 days after opening Covid19 hit the nation and we locked down for months! Here’s hoping that in a few years we can look back on 2020 as being that year that changed the nation; bringing communities together, showing true thanks to the NHS, care workers, retail staff and those super busy delivery drivers. 2020 the year no one will ever forget and the year ivy & arlo was established.

ivyandarlo.co.uk is our online branch of loveliness.

Have a browse, message with any enquires as I’m always happy to help.

Much love

Sarah x

This is me!

ivy & arlo Values....

We believe things should be priced reasonably. Wooden toys do not need to cost a fortune to be ethically made and lovely looking. Clothes do not need to be designer to look good or fit well. Toys are meant for playing with, chewing and dribbling on. I also love locally sourced products and supporting other small makers and businesses.

From calico fabric banners to concrete zoo animals and washable breast pads (all made by other small businesses owners). I showcase two Horsforth makers too; Smithys and Biddy & Bear. Both make the BEST clothing!

I stock British made products also; inch blue (designed and made in Wales), cheeky chompers (designed and made in Scotland).

Having a uni background in textiles and surface pattern means the A3 prints are all designed by me and printed locally. I knit huge names filled with wire! I make all the personalised gifts myself and also make the ‘Oodles of Doodles’ crayons too. A hive of industrialism goes on at home these days!

They say ‘when you buy from a small business someone actually does a happy dance’ and in this case that person is me! Whether it’s in the shop or online! I’ll keep dancing folks!