Meet the owners

Meet Catherine and Jeremy

A trip to award-winning Cambridge boutique Podarok is a true feast for the eyes with its vibrant array of quirky gifts. We meet owners Catherine and Jeremy to discover what inspires their eye-catching collection

When did you take the helm at Podarok and what attracted you to the business?

We had been looking for a new business opportunity in Cambridge as we have lived in Cambridge for over 20 years and love the city’s vibrant Indie scene. In 2018 the opportunity to take over at Podarok, which we already knew and loved, presented itself and with Jeremy’s background in design and Catherine’s financial background, Podarok seemed like the perfect opportunity.

For anyone who hasn’t had the pleasure of a shop at Podarok, can you give us a flavour of what you sell?

We are known in Cambridge for our vibrant gifts and homewares that are sourced with great care and which you can’t find anywhere else. We’re especially known for our quirky handbags and purses, along
with our unique and beautiful jewellery, children’s products, books and fabulously bright lampshades and homewares. From pocket money pieces to some more extravagant one offs, we are proud to be able to have something for everyone’s budget.

Which products tend to be the most popular?

Our bestsellers are our funky handbags but we are also well known for the really bright and unusual lampshades which cover the shop. More recently we have some fantastic animal wall art and we can’t ever forget how popular our huge range of felt products are.

Where do you source your eclectic range (and do you still get excited when you find something particularly quirky and fabulous)?

We are constantly on the lookout for products along with our buyer. We go to trade shows but our most successful products tend to be serendipitous discoveries. We try to source from the UK as much as possible where there is a fabulous creative scene.

Podarok is renowned for its stunning window displays, which have won awards, we hear! Who is the creative whizz behind those?

Everyone who works in the shop gets the opportunity to show their artistic skills alongside their amazing customer service both in the design of the windows and internal on the mirrors and glass (if it doesn’t move, it’s decorated). The windows are a collaborative effort and are changed frequently and are seasonally or product range-based.

What do customers say they love about the shop?

What’s not to love? From the moment a customer comes in, they are confronted with the fantastic music (we are even asked for our Spotify playlist), the bright and vibrant selection of unique products, which
you can’t get anywhere else. What we aim for is fun and funky and for someone to come in and feel better when they leave.

And finally, what’s the best thing about owning an Indie business in Cambridge?

The indie scene in Cambridge is a fantastic, supportive community, and by its nature an indie business is an incredibly rewarding venture. We feel very lucky to have amazing staff and customers who constantly comment on how amazing Podarok is.

Podarok is at 12 Bene’t St, Cambridge CB2 3PT. Find out more at podarok.co.uk