What

What
do we love more than an independently owned store? An
independent store that’s stacked with other up-and-coming
independents. As part of our Postcode Pioneer series that shines a
light on small businesses, we’re calling upon Florence Dixon of the
expertly curated Tidy Street General Store to share with us her
Brighton recommendations.

Inspired by the concept stores of Los Angeles, where windows
display everything from neon signs to knitting, Florence Dixon
(yes, the offspring of Tom Dixon) and her mother set about curating
a space filled with treasures. Opting for quality over quantity,
its rails swing with under-radar designers, marble countertops are
laden with velvet slippers, and a small, gourmet corner is filled
with enamelware and chocolate caviar. Forget supermarket sweeps,
this is your one-stop-shop with class.

Here, Florence shares with us her slow-fashion tips, the
practical but personal gifts we should be buying this year and
where to take our four-legged friends in Brighton.

Hangover huevos rancheros, proper boozers and dreamy date
nights: Brighton’s best bits, according to Tidy Street General
Store

Where are you from and how has that shaped your business?

Having decamped from London, I
think that Brighton feels much friendlier. We wanted this to be
reflected in our business, where customers receive a more
personalised, relaxed treatment than they would in the big city.
The casual, laid-back vibe of Brighton has also informed our decor
and eclectic mix of products.

What was the inspiration behind Tidy Street General Store?

Tidy Street General Store grew out of a desire for a
neighbourhood shop that sold everything, from a jar of jam to a
pair of jeans; from French workwear to British-manufactured
jewellery. It’s a place where people could come and spend £2 or
£200. We wanted to support and showcase small, independent brands,
and promote an ethos of quality pieces made to treasure forever.
Four years later, we hope we’ve stayed true to this brief: we still
attract a wide range of customers, from students at the city’s two
universities to tourists from all over the world.

Share with us some of the stories behind some of the pieces you
stock…

We are really excited to be stocking Cawley, a young
British designer whose beautiful apparel is manufactured in the UK.
Our French workwear comes from the same company, Vetra, that made
the uniforms for the French Resistance. Sigil Scent is an
incredible new gender-neutral fragrance line from LA, and we are so
excited to be its first UK stockist.

What first drew you to this neighbourhood?

Brighton is a vibrant city known for its welcoming atmosphere
and “anything goes” attitude. North Laine, in particular, is full
of independent shops and rows of brightly coloured houses. We’re
proud of our inclusive community and of being the only UK
constituency with a Green Party MP.

Describe the vibe of the neighbourhood…

Bright, independent, full of big characters and colourful
personalities.

Where should we go in Brighton for our morning coffee?

Coffee at 33 on Trafalgar Street roasts its own beans,
and you can take away or watch the world go by from its window
seat.

And hangover breakfast?

Dough
Lover, also on Trafalgar Street, serves the best breakfast and
has something to please everyone – its options for vegans and
coeliacs don’t feel like an afterthought, but also has traditional
options. Go there for the best huevos rancheros and homemade,
fermented drinks.

What about somewhere for dinner with friends?

Cin Cin
is a tiny italian restaurant where you can sit at the counter and
enjoy deliciously simple homemade pasta. The ingredients are
top-notch and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

What about on a date?

Visit the Royal Pavilion. Once the holiday home of the Prince
Regent, it mixes Indian-inspired architecture with a very British
eccentricity. Wander through the incredible rooms before a picnic
in the picturesque gardens. If the date is going well, take a short
walk to The Basketmakers Arms, a traditional Brighton pub, for
a drink and a packet of crisps.

Where can we find Brighton’s best fish and chips?

The Regency on Brighton’s seafront has been unchanged
for years. Enjoy your fish and chips on one of its outside tables
overlooking the sea.

Where shall we go to buy a present?

Workshop is a beautiful homewares shop with an
incredible curation of stylish yet practical objects. Quince supplies
beautiful floral arrangements all over the city.

Any other independents in the neighbourhood that you love to
buy from?

The
Crop on Sydney Street is a jewellery shop where you’ll want one
of everything; nearby Fold stocks beautiful womenswear. Wolf &
Gypsy has the city’s best edit of vintage clothing, while
The Record
Album – Brighton’s oldest record shop – is our go-to for rare
vinyl.

Any secret spots only locals know about?

Helm
Ston, a tiny café with four seats where the friendly owner
serves up delicious dahl and the hot chocolate of dreams. Dogs are
welcome too! Avoid the main strip along Brighton beach where all
the tourists congregate – walk east to Kemptown or west to Hove
Lawns for a nicer beach experience.

Any tips on making our wardrobes more sustainable?

We really believe that buying pieces that you treasure forever
is the best way to act sustainably. Fashion manufacturing is never
truly “green” – there is always going to be an environmental
impact. What is far more important is to buy less, but to buy
quality pieces that you can wear time and time again. Fashion
shouldn’t be cheap; if people are being paid fairly all the way
down the chain, then prices will reflect this. We should buy less
and occasionally invest in pieces that we really love.

Finally, what should we buy from Tidy Street General
Store?

For your friends, buy a Kure Bazaar nail polish made with
90-per-cent natural ingredients. For your significant other:
recycled glasses from Le Verre Beldi, perfect for tea (or wine).
Little ones will love the strawberry socks from LA-based Hansel
from Basel. Not forgetting for your furry friends, of course. For
them, we have fairtrade Maison Bengal baskets made from jute. And
for yourself, a Dragon handwoven leather basket – far more stylish
than a designer handbag and it gets better as the leather softens
with age. On colder nights, we suggest indulging in our chocolate
grissini while listening to a record from our collaboration with
legendary Brighton shop The Record Album.