With so many news items featuring the demise of the high street and independent shops it is heartening to read that this month Nova, the gift shop in Chapel Street, is celebrating 50 years of trading on the same site and under the same ownership.
Back in 1965 Rosemary was frustrated that all the new design led products she saw in magazines were largely only available in London shops. Her interest in modern design was the driving force compelling her to open Nova and bring the clean lines of Scandinavian design to Aberdeen.
Nova was established at around the same time as Laura and Bernard Ashley started
out printing tea towels on their kitchen table and Nova was one of their first customers.
The familiar logo was designed by a Gray’s post graduate student Donald Addison and it has remained fresh and stylish for 47 years.
The shop was the first to introduce wedding lists and a personal gift-wrapping service, and this pioneering style has enabled Nova to trade successfully through the ups and downs of the last 50 years. Celebrations took place on Thursday 23rd April with a 1960s themed day in the shop. www.novagifts.co.uk