An online trader that specialises in luxury goods has opened its first store in Bermuda due to popular demand after a successful first year in business

JWSeason.com, which was launched by husband and wife team Joseph and Wendy King in January 2009, opened its doors at the new shop in Peno’s Drive, St. George’s a week last Saturday and has plans to hold an official event to mark the occasion at the end of next month.

The store, like the website sells luxury bedding, bath and window fashions, including shower curtains, as well as other items not listed there such as candles and kitchen towels.

But it is more to give shoppers an idea of what the website has to offer and gives them the chance to see the real thing close up.

“It is really a showroom,” said Ms King. “We had a lot of feedback from our members that they wanted to have something which they could touch and feel to know what product they were getting, as well as giving them the chance to ask us any questions they may have in person.”

Ms King said that it had always been a dream of theirs to have their own shop one day and it was a natural progression to complement the business’ online offering.

Admitting that developments had moved much quicker than they both expected, she said that once they had started the search seven to eight months ago it was only a matter of time before they found the perfect location.

With cheaper rents and better accessibility than the likes of Hamilton, St. George’s was the ideal place to set up shop allied to the fact they were moving into a recently renovated premises that offered a fresh modern look to merchandise their wares, and Ms King said she was not worried about the hard times the town has faced in recent years, with a number of stores closing during the economic downturn. Rather, she hopes that JWSeason will be part of the renaissance of the Old Towne.

“We want to encourage people to come to St. George’s and we also want to liven the town up, especially for people in the East End to have a greater choice of stores to visit and who may not want to go into Hamilton,” she said.

“It is also in a nice quaint and quiet setting, offering a relaxed shopping experience, which is perfect for the product we want to sell, so it works especially well for us.”

The Kings have already established a loyal customer base and hope to attract even more clientele through the launch of its new store.

JWSeason offers everything from beds, comforters, downs, pillows (decorative or otherwise) and sheets to Roman and roll-up shades and curtain panels, as well as bath mats and towels and soap dishes, with the option of ready or customer made orders in different colours and styles - each one speaking for itself. Wedding gift registers, gift certificates and gift wrapping services are also available. There are typically two or three of each product on display at the store at any one time, with the option for delivery or pick-up direct from the store.

It’s opening hours are Tuesday between 6.30 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. during Harbour Nights and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To contact the store call 333-2484. To make an order or for more information about JWSeason.com visit the website at www.jwseason.com or contact 1-866-948-4968