A bohemian Harrogate cafe, antiques and garden centre has closed after more than two years of business.

53 Bo Grove, on Grove Road, just off Kings Road, caught the eye of passers-by with its front yard filled with antiques and salvaged items.

The business became a vital hub for residents during the early coronavirus lockdowns by remaining open to sell food at a time when many supermarkets were struggling for stock.

Over the last year, the Stray Ferret has reported owner Kyrensa Bentley’s attempts to improve business by opening a pancake shack and a farm shop on site.

Bo Grove at Oxford Street.

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Ms Bentley, who opened the business in September 2019, told the Stray Ferret she made the decision to close after struggling on a number of fronts:

“I am sad to have to close but it was a difficult location.

“I struggled with Harrogate Borough Council, coronavirus has also had an impact and we were short on staff in the kitchen.

“However, I now have a business on Oxford Street, which I can completely focus on. I have also had the chance to go back to my roots more and get some great antique finds for that shop.”

Ms Bentley opened Bo Grove at Oxford Street in November 2020. It currently sells an eclectic mix of interiors, antiques and furniture and she plans to open a cafe on the site soon.

This article is sponsored by 53 Bo Grove.

When Kyrensa Bentley launched 53 Bo Grove in September last year, she wanted to create an independent bohemian destination for lovers of unique and quirky antiques in and around Harrogate.

Since then, the Aladdin’s cave of vintage, retro and antique delights has developed into a much-loved community space, complete with farm shop and cafe.

And now, collectors and creators in the Harrogate area have the opportunity to launch their own pop-up-shop within 53 Bo Grove.

The team is looking for artists, sewers, knitters, crafters and collectors of vintage clothes and toys to add to the bo-ho market, and is particularly keen to feature eco-friendly products and pre-loved items.

Kyrensa said:

“We feel that by having a collective of sellers, we can offer not just a wide range of products, but a community space for people to visit. Because visitors can get so many different things in one place, you never know exactly what you’re going to find or see.

Although crafters and collectors often sell their products online, I think people are missing visiting physical shops, and with our farm shop, café and collection of different sellers, 53 Bo Grove is a social and tactile experience – it’s underrated how much having a physical space is part of being a retailer.”

Kyrensa and the team look after all of the pop-up-shops, so collectors and makers can continue to collect and make without needing to attend to their shop in person – and the affordable rent and community spirit make 53 Bo Grove the perfect place to transition from online-seller to physical retailer.

To find out more or to book your own pop-up shop, email 53bogrove@gmail.com or call 07957 364962 Monday to Friday.

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A small antiques shop has opened at The Knox pub in Bilton as a Harrogate woman aims to follow a new path after lockdown.

Foxy Antiques and Interiors will sell a range of items, from retro furniture to vintage collectables. The small shop is occupying a former storage cupboard at the pub.

Alex Clarke, who previously worked in housekeeping, decided during lockdown that she needed a new challenge. Since November, she has been buying and selling antiques, and decided to expand from a small unit in a local antiques shop to the larger space at The Knox.

The shop will sell a range of items, from furniture to candles.

She told the Stray Ferret that her previous job was impacted by coronavirus so she decided to pursue a new venture, following something she has always been interested in. She said:

“It’s completely new to me. I’ve worked in housekeeping for nine years but my wages went down as a result of covid so I decided to look for something else. I needed something new and fresh that would challenge me.”

Katie Swannie, owner of The Knox pub, hopes that the new shop will be the start of something great. She told the Stray Ferret:

“We hope both businesses will benefit each other. It’s always something we’ve wanted to do. I want to create a little complex of quirky things that all complement each other, so this is the first step. We are hoping it will bring something for the local people in this area.”

As well as the launch of Foxy Antiques and Interiors, last weekend also saw the opening of a new beer garden at the back of the pub. As well as providing somewhere to enjoy the sun, it will help the pub to follow social distancing guidelines.

During lockdown the pub was re-decorated and has had a new beer garden built.