Annemarie Sharp opened Cowboys & Angels Children’s Boutique in 2012 in the coastal town of West Kirby in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, Merseyside.
Sharp, whose previous career was in children’s retail, launched the business after the company she worked for restructured and she was made redundant. Named after her favourite George Michael song, Cowboys & Angels is all about bright colours and rainbows – the brighter the better.
The store’s products are all sourced from brands that commit to organic and ethical practices. For instance, those that ensure regular factory visits and establish relationships with farmers and workers to create quality organic cotton clothing and fairtrade toys.
Amongst the shop’s clothing and accessory brands are Kite Clothing, Name It, Lilly + Sid and Lulujo. Toy brands, meanwhile, include Djeco, Jumini, Wilberry, Pellianni, Best Years and Lottie Nottie, alongside Kali Stileman cards. “We believe our toys to be both fun and educational; learning through play is key,” adds Sharp. “Our clothing is made to last – to be loved and passed down again and again.”
Like many independent retailers, Cowboys & Angels is well-integrated within the community and provides support to local schools and charities with gift vouchers and donations. Although, like many, the business has had to adapt since the pandemic, exciting plans are on the horizon.
“Our business is well established, but we’ve had to make some changes post-Covid to maximise margins without compromising the quality of the products we offer,” concludes Sharp. “However, I now have my eye on a second store location, so watch this space.”
Cowboys & Angels Children’s Boutique is located at 8 Crescent Walk, West Kirby, Wirral CH48 4DD. For further information, please click here.
