New Romsey shop optimistic for the future after hard opening months

Singles Supermarket, a shop offering smaller portions for people living alone to reduce waste, was opened at Dukes Mill next to the bus station over the summer by the Mayor of Romsey, John Ray.

Business owner Karen Thorn says she questioned why she even started the shop, after being hit with constant bills throughout the winter.

READ MORE: Singles Supermarket opens in Romsey

Karen Thorn (Image: Karen Thorn)

Ms Thorn said: “The first few months of Single Supermarket were quite scary. I opened a week after getting the keys which was crazy because we had to build the interior first.

“Everyone thought I was mad but I trusted my gut feeling. As the mayor was heading towards my shop, I had to run in and throw the guys who were helping to build it, out of the back door. Nowadays the shop looks very different from that day but at least we got it open.

“With lots of advertising and hard work, the shop got up and running.  Everyone thought it was a fantastic idea. I surveyed for a year so knew it was. However, like all businesses, it was a slow starter and the money soon ran out.

“Christmas was the hardest as I couldn’t even buy presents for my family. Bills weren’t being paid and I couldn’t do the simplest of things like go for coffee, lunch, get a haircut or anything else I'd taken for granted.

“It was tough but what scared me most were the bills coming in without any income. I started my shop knowing I only had to make a small amount each day to cover these things but of course, didn’t think forward enough about businesses taking time to build. Business was slow throughout December and I got lower, wondering why I’d even started it.

Singles Supermarket (Image: Karen Thorn)

SEE ALSO: Sea of bottles left by overflowing recycling bins after Christmas

“The Environmental Health wanted carpet taken up around the serving area, which meant paying out for lino. The kitchen needed a bowl and a half sink and another water heater so that I had hot water in that area too. I had no idea how on earth I could even get this done as there was nothing in the pot.

“I had gotten run down with the fear of losing my beautiful shop and forgot about gratitude completely.  I had to close for Christmas anyway and took this time to rethink how fortunate I was.

“My prayers were answered by a lovely young man who had started his own business three years before and remembered how hard it was.  Mike gave me at least three hours of his time, even coming out during his holiday, while he should have been with his family.

“Trust the process, as my beautiful granddaughter once reminded me. I hope this will encourage and inspire others to have faith.”

Next, Karen hopes to introduce zero-waste items, hot lunch snacks and an old-fashioned sweet section to the shop. Tables and chairs are also on her list to help the business grow.