Friday, 10 July 2009
How we're doing
We continue to get lots of support from the UK ex pats in Fethiye. They love the hand made cards and I sell at least 2 everyday, sometimes more. I'll have my work cut out at Christmas keeping up with the demand, especially since Yakup and I will be going to the UK to await the birth of Amy's daughter, Alana in October. Sarah one of our beloved friends will look after the shop for us while we are away. Heartfelt thanks to all our customers, friends and supporters.
I'm getting lots of jewellery repairs as well. People can bring their costume jewellery in for repair or remodelling and this is proving a popular service. I wont do fine jewellery or gold, but anything else I'm equipped and able to do. I may be the only person restringing pearls in Fethiye according to one customer.
We have had ladies in from Kalkan and Dalyan (both a good couple of hours away from Fethiye) and they have told me that the shop is becoming known out of town too, so that's great because this is all from customer recommendation rather than advertising.
The tourist season isn't too great here, not really a lot of people around even in the night time and a lot of the other businesses are getting worried. People who work only the tourist season depend on making enough money in the summer to see them through the winter, one friend told me yesterday that if it doesn't improve there wont be enough money to see them through the summer never mind the winter, Everyone thinks that one of the problems is the 'all inclusive system' in so many of the Fethiye. Tourists stay in the hotel and don't go out to spend any money. It's especially difficult for the bars and restaurants.
We have decided not to open on Sundays. Many of the other shops close because there just isn't any shoppers around on Sundays and in any case, we work 14 hours per day, so six days is quite enough thanks! When will we have any fun ourselves? (not to mention doing the washing and cleaning the house)
I'm getting lots of jewellery repairs as well. People can bring their costume jewellery in for repair or remodelling and this is proving a popular service. I wont do fine jewellery or gold, but anything else I'm equipped and able to do. I may be the only person restringing pearls in Fethiye according to one customer.
We have had ladies in from Kalkan and Dalyan (both a good couple of hours away from Fethiye) and they have told me that the shop is becoming known out of town too, so that's great because this is all from customer recommendation rather than advertising.
The tourist season isn't too great here, not really a lot of people around even in the night time and a lot of the other businesses are getting worried. People who work only the tourist season depend on making enough money in the summer to see them through the winter, one friend told me yesterday that if it doesn't improve there wont be enough money to see them through the summer never mind the winter, Everyone thinks that one of the problems is the 'all inclusive system' in so many of the Fethiye. Tourists stay in the hotel and don't go out to spend any money. It's especially difficult for the bars and restaurants.
We have decided not to open on Sundays. Many of the other shops close because there just isn't any shoppers around on Sundays and in any case, we work 14 hours per day, so six days is quite enough thanks! When will we have any fun ourselves? (not to mention doing the washing and cleaning the house)
Friday, 3 July 2009
It's been a busy month. Lots of old Levent Hotel guests have been to visit and thanks to a fabulous piece in the Sun Express written by Mandy at Vartur Estate Agents, we have had lots of Fethiye residents coming to the shop to buy greetings cards and presents. The Calis Forum have been kind too and still more customers have come along to check out the shop as a result of that too. Thanks everyone for your support.
I hope you enjoy the pictures.
I hope you enjoy the pictures.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
