ADVERTORIAL
A lifelong dream shared between two friends has come to fruition for Fiona Pennell and Mandy Souchon, co-owners of Fee and Mands on Willoughby, who opened their new homewares and decor store on March 27 in Paeroa.
Mandy said the name of the shop came really quickly.
“One of us said ‘oh – Fee and Mands!’ and it just stuck.”
Fiona and Mandy said creating a space that felt like home, where people could find beautiful and timeless pieces was exactly what we wanted to create.
There’s something for everybody, in every price range, for every occasion, Fiona said.
Lighting, art, furniture, bedding, rugs, cushions, throws, mirrors, hand bags, and infant wear are some of the beautiful pieces on display across the store.
“We wanted people to walk in and say ‘wow – this is awesome’,” Mandy said.
With a focus on supporting New Zealand brands and designers, Fee and Mands have carefully selected items that uphold their standards of quality, style and sustainability.
As well as keeping things local, they wanted the community to know “we can pretty much source anything”.
Fiona and her husband Murray Pennell own Murray Pennell Builders, and originally purchased the site at 1 Willoughby St to build Murray’s workshop.
However, Fiona said she had an early-morning epiphany about its potential as a shop, and following discussions with Murray, and inviting Mandy to partner with her, about a week later Fee and Mands on Willoughby was born. The builders workshop is at the back of the building, and Fee and Mands is at the front.
Fiona and Mandy said they wanted to thank the community for their awesome support right from the start of the project – when they first put the sign up on the fence.
“We’re very grateful for everyone being interested and supportive. We’re very proud.”
– Davidda Hikatangata
