Premier Paula Cox officially opened the new Pulp & Circumstance store in Washington Lane, praising owner Kristi Grayston for her significant contribution to Bermuda’s retail sector and the economy.Ms Cox was on hand to cut the ribbon at yesterday’s unveiling of the 3,000-square foot retail space which consolidates the former Queen Street paper store and Front Street gift shop.Among the guests at the grand opening were Paula Clarke, chairman of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce’s retail division, AS Cooper’s managing director Somers Cooper, and executive members of the Chamber, other business leaders and retailers, as well as previous tenants Tom and Vicki Coelho of North Rock Communications.The store was completely renovated earlier his year and opened in July“The main thing is that we are all together in one location now,” said Ms Grayston.“We had been waiting for a permanent home for some time and now we have got it.”Shoppers now have a one-stop shop for invitations, menus, placecards, leather journals, pen sets and gifts, including some specific Bermuda themed lines.With the store’s prime location in the centre of town it gets a good footfall being close to all the major shops and is easy to access with the City Hall parking lot across the street.Run by 10 full or part-time staff, the business, which is set to celebrate its 15th anniversary in November, was located at Windsor Place for 10 years prior to moving the gift shop to Front Street in July 2010, before Ms Grayston decided to consolidate given both the seasonal nature of trade in Front Street and the confusion it generated among customers over which store stocked which product.“We have been open for two months now and it’s been fairly quiet during the summer season, but our customers are starting to find us now,” she said.The new store has a fresh and clean look to it with more of a focus on the products thanks in part to Ms Grayston’s husband Michael who was the project manager responsible for overseeing and helping with the construction of the new space.The ceiling was made from tin tiles and the walls covered with eco-friendly paint, while reclaimed wood was used on the floors and in the millwork, while the store also received an accessibility award for its ramp for wheelchairs and strollers.