Residents bring vision of ‘live, work and play’ to life with business opening

Our vision to make Chapelton a place to live, work and play is becoming a reality.

We are continuing to add businesses to The Boxes @ Chapelton, our new retail initiative which offers small businesses an affordable place to grow and the community a place to shop locally.

One of the latest businesses to be joining the retail space is The Omnia, a homeware and gift shop which will boast decorative home accessories, including beautifully scented candles and diffusers, cushions, ornaments, photo frames, greeting cards and gift wrap. Owners Fiona Joss and Karyn Werninck have both lived in Chapelton since 2016.

Fiona, a graphic designer with a lifelong passion for home interiors, tells us about opening the business: “When the opportunity of The Boxes @ Chapelton arose shortly after I graduated from the Interior Designer’s Business School I jumped at the chance. I’ve always wanted to own an interiors gift shop and to be able to work in the same town that I live in is just the dream.”

Karyn, who has a background in accounts, added: “I felt like I needed a new challenge and when Fiona was looking for a business partner to complement her design skills and creativity, it seemed like the perfect pairing.

“We’ve been neighbours and friends for a while and both of our children attended The Croft Nursery in Chapelton. With our children off to school now, it’s the ideal time to embark on a new business venture.”

Speaking of the name for the shop, Fiona said: “My husband and I were on honeymoon in Switzerland and visited a very special restaurant called ‘The Omnia’. I loved the name which means ‘prepared in all things: ready for anything’ and when Karyn and I decided to take this step together in business the name was fitting on more than one level.”

Karyn continued: “There’s been a real change in people’s shopping habits over this past year and with everyone keen to support small local businesses more than ever before, we’re sure that each unit will be hugely successful.

Fiona added: “We’re learning as we go but have the support from the developers behind Chapelton as well as the other businesses located in The Boxes @Chapelton who are opening alongside us. We’ve created a WhatsApp group which is buzzing with ideas for all of our shop fronts and how we can work together to make The Boxes @ Chapelton truly thrive. It already feels like a community within a community.”

We can’t wait to visit The Omina!

To keep up to date with the latest developments at The Boxes @ Chapelton, please visit our social media channels.

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