Simply The Best .... for You .... and Everyone

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~ Archived News ~
Product News Hot off the press - our new brochure for 2011-2012 - download it above! We have had so many new products since first opening a year ago it's hard to know where to start! We now have 42 active suppliers, sourcing from 46 different countries and over 160 different producers However, here is a list of most of our current products (we actually have over 2,700 separate, different product lines IN STOCK!); Around Christmas time, probably the widest selection of Fairly Traded, Ethical and Eco-Friendly Christmas Cards, Decorations, Stockings and Nativity Scenes you'll find in the Highlands. And also Divine Chocolate Advent Calendars! Yummy! Watch out for our Christmas Sale in June, when we'll be selling Christmas stock at a discount.... The FULL range of Divine Chocolate bars, as well as Apricots, Mangoes and Brazil Nuts dipped in wonderful Divine Chocolate. One of very few places in the Highlands you can find the whole range, including the new 85% Dark and 70% Ginger & Orange Dark Chocolate Fairtrade Sweeties and Fudge from Wish4 and Buchanan's Wire Beaded and White Soapstone Sculptures from the Kisii region of Kenya in Africa, along with some Greetings Cards from the same area - these have wire figures on them Books! About Fair Trade itself, Organic and Fair Trade Cookery, Healthy Living and a cool range of Children's books - books that help others, books that are eco-friendly and also some lovely inspirational and Christmas books, ideal for presents (I have two young children - I should know!) Music! A large range of high quality music on CD from around the world - presented by Rough Guide and Putumayo Kids. A huge amount of choice for Children and Adults. You can also buy a CD with the track we use on the MFR advert. It's from Mozambique and it's Mega! Incense - 21 different smells, along with various different types of holder. Also Fragrance Sachets. Recycled glassware from Spain Loads of different types of picture/photo frames Baskets, Bowls, Cutlery Baskets - and Cutlery to put in them! Large range of bags - felt, jute, recycled sari, canvas, cotton - so many! Gorara Elephants and Owls - solid and undercut An extensive range of scarves in various styles - very popular A rapidly expanding range of hats - ski hats, wool and leather hats from Peru, brightly coloured felt hats from Nepal Painted and carved wooden birds and animals from Indonesia A large range of all shapes and sizes of box - wood, stone, bone, fabric Lots of handmade (of course!) toys, puzzles and soft toys for babies and children A super range of baby and childrenswear from Hooligans Kids in South Africa - really soft, thick and 100% Fair Trade cotton. Lots more children's clothing from Hooligans Kids - we now cater for new born up to 8 years, boys and girls; tops, bottoms and dresses A large range of Raku ceramic animals, again from South Africa Lots of figurines - some really nice family groups in soapstone A HUGE range of musical instruments, including Talking Drums, Thunder Drums, Calimba, Djembes, wooden flutes and goodness knows what else Lots of jewellery - fashion items and also a greatly expanded range of 99.9% pure silver, from Luna Tree Jewellery, designed with the Karen Hill Tribes of Chiang Mai, Thailand We also stock a really large selection of Thuya wood boxes and objects from Morocco - coasters, pocket mirrors, dominoes with Mother of Pearl dots, clocks...phew! Thuya wood is very like Burr Walnut - and while expensive, it's a fraction of the price. The quality of the wood and craftmanship, however, remains high. Toys, games and kids' stuff from Sri Lanka, courtesy of Lanka Kade - letters to make nameplates, clocks, height charts in many different ranges. If we don't stock it, we can order it for you...a catalogue is available to peruse in the shop Large rag dolls (30" tall) dressed in Hooligans Kids gear A new range of Fairtrade natural beauty products from Visionary Soap Moon Phase Clocks and house numbers, expanding our range of products made from recycled coffee cups Bobbin lace items; doilies and coasters - for a touch of luxury... A great range of tableware made from Nito Vine - but going fast and unfortunately we won't be able to get any more for a (long) while, due to illness... Super new wrapping paper - all handmade, Fairly Traded, from The Philippines, with matching ribbon... Crocheted tea sets (yes, really!), dolls, animals and rattles from Bangladesh A cool new range of tie-dyed Velvet Scarves And don't forget our popular and super warm Yak's Wool scarves and shawls Embroidered velvet purses - for pocket money at pocket money prices! Impressive tableclothes - tie-dyed and embroidered. No, they're not "hippy"; just really different Rasta-style scrunchies! Dreadlock felt! Felt Bobble Necklaces Funky embroidered tops for ladies and girlies - just the start of our range of Big People's clothing... More Big People's clothing; Small to XL in dresses, skirts, tops, unisex shirts, trousers, kaftans, kurtas and jackets - men's and ladies' A new range of Really Ethical (and Fairly Traded) chocolate called 'Chokolit' - various flavours and each bar helps a specific animal project, eg Orang Utans We have a 'LOVE' section, with lots of 'heart-y' items; red heart boxes made from soapstone, large red soapstone hearts, small hearts with messages, sparkly heart boxes, beautiful Thuya Wood Heart Boxes Chess Sets made from soapstone housed in a velvet lined box with marble inlaid chess board top Wooden Puzzles and Games, including Dominoes and Dice Lots of foods; jams, preserves, sauces, pasta, rice, dried fruits, biscuits - all Fairly Traded and/or Organic where possible. Don't miss the Swazi Fire Sauce from Swaziland! Lots of different speciality Teas and Coffees! Divine Drinking Chocolate! Household products - toilet rolls, kitchen towels, tissues, cleaners, firelighters, etc. Toiletries - soaps, bath melts, bath and massage oils, deodorant, nail and body brushes, wooden combs - don't forget, all the Fairly Traded items are handmade products wherever possible!

	Christmas & New Year Opening Times
Sunday Dec 11th		CLOSED
Monday Dec 12th to Saturday Dec 17th		9am to 5.30pm
Sunday Dec 18th		CLOSED
Monday Dec 19th to Christmas Eve		9am to 5.30pm
Christmas Day to January 6th		CLOSED
Saturday Jan 7th		9am to 5.30pm
From Monday January 9th we will be open 6 days a week, 9am to 5.30pm. CLOSED Sundays
For the THIRD Year, Simply The Best is collecting for MFR Cash for Kids Toy Appeal		Please Give Generously!

STOP PRESS!!	Daily Telegraph Best Small Shop Awards 2011	(Launched Oct 2011)
	* Voting has now closed * We'd like to say a really big THANK YOU! to all of you who have voted for us as Britain's Best Small Corner Shop. We don't know the final figure, but we do know we have been overwhelmed by the support you've shown. It makes us happy that we're giving you what you want from a shop-good products, good service and the Feel-Good Factor you get by helping others. We'll let you know the results once we know ourselves. Good luck to you all in the Prize Draw for holidays!
	Please vote for us in our category 'Best Corner Shop'
All voters are entered into a prize draw to win one of the following prizes;
A three-night stay for two at Hacienda San Rafael in southern Spain, a favourite destination of the luxury tailor-made holiday specialists The Ultimate Travel Company.
A four-night stay for a family of four at Polurrian Bay Hotel, Mullion, Cornwall.
A two-night stay for two people at one of Mallorca’s best boutique hotels – L’Avenida.
A two-night stay for two people at Château Saint-Martin & Spa in the south of France.
A two-night stay for two people at Linthwaite Country House Hotel in the Lake District.
A case of wine worth £180, courtesy of Bottle Apostle.
	Birthday Celebrations 2011

	All during September we took part in an advert on MFR, for businesses in Dornoch - hear our ad here! (we're mentioned at the end...)
To the right is the latest letter we have about our sponsored little girl, Rani. Arriving on the 12th September, I suspect it may have been sitting in a drawer since May...
STOP PRESS! Christmas comes early to Dornoch (but only for 12 days....)		Good savings on all Christmas stock with extra tempters on all regular stock
Sale of the Year! Starting 10am, Monday 10th January 2011 Most lines at 25% off - some even more! There are some exceptions, at 10% discount, but only on things like food and toiletries (Finished Wed Jan 19th, 5.30pm)
And a great big hello to MFR Listeners who have heard our radio campaign! Please let us know what you thought of the ad - we'd love to hear your thoughts (whatever you have to say!) For those of you who haven't heard it, or would like to listen again, please click here and just here is version 2!
Prize Draw at Inverness Fairtrade Bazaar, 27th November 2010 The correct answers were as follows; Q1) How many different product lines do Simply The Best currently have in stock? Answer c) 2,500+ We really do have in stock over 2,500 different product lines at any one time. That’s an awful lot of choice! The total number of products stocked is actually over 2,700, although inevitably some lines do go out of stock. Q2) How many different countries of the world do Simply The Best represent? Answer c) 46 – We buy products that originate from within the UK to Indonesia and many points in between… Q3) How many different producers’ goods are stocked by Simply The Best? Answer c) over 160 – in our range of around 2,700 products there are many different producers, from Asha Handicrafts to Zuri Design. That’s a lot of different people we can help! Prizewinners 1st (£20 STB Gift Voucher) - Shirley Ann Watson 2nd (£10 STB Gift Voucher) - Caroline Henderson 3rd (£5 STB Gift Voucher) - Kate MacLennan
Shop News We have been listening to feedback regarding actually finding the shop and can now offer a map on the website! Along with a Pavement Swinger on Castle Street (again with a map), one at the entrance to Dornoch Business Park and one by the recycling area next to the shop, we feel we should now be able to attract those of you who haven't been able to find us as yet! On the Marketing side of things, we have four major campaigns running this year; 1) A half page advert in the A5 North Highlands' Visitor Guide, which is available from all Tourist Information Centres and is sent out on request by Visit Scotland 2) A quarter page advert plus quarter page editorial in the A4 Highland & Moray Visitor Guide 2010 - being distributed as far down as Stirling, again in Visitor Information Centres and key tourist sites 3) Our brand new leaflet (Mar 2010 Brochure, downloadable from the Products page), which will be going into many Visitor Centres, attractions, hotels, restaurants and anywhere there is a leaflet display. Areas covered will be Easter Ross and Dornoch, Inverness & Loch Ness, North & North West Highlands and all Visitor Information Centres. 14,000 leaflets in all! 4) A double-sided A4 leaflet which is included in the Landmark Press Visitors' Welcome Pack - this is placed in 7,500 bedrooms in the Scottish Highlands Plus we have taken an advert on VisitDornoch.com Of course we will also be continuing to service local businesses who have been very supportive in our first days of trading. Thanks very much - you know who you are! Website News Latest...... We have opened an account with a new web host capable of running a full e-commerce site. The bare bones of the site have been uploaded; all that remains is for it to be configured to make it fully secure and for all our data to be uploaded. For total peace of mind we have purchased an SSL Certificate which effectively means the site will be as secure as it can be. Sorry about the delay with this...."Next to come will be some up-to date photos of the shop, highlighting individual areas and product ranges."... We've actually been working on opening up more rooms to the shop floor. We now have the main shop floor of 600 square feet and another room of 125 square feet, which houses the rather nice basket ware made from the bark of the Nito vine, along with bags, cushions, handmade wrapping paper and other goodies. We've nearly finished work on this room, now. After the first room's finished, we will be opening up our last room, another 125 square feet, in which we will be having not only more products to buy but, most importantly, an extensive Fair Trade Resource of leaflets, posters, etc.. All sorts of information about Fairtrade, Fair Trade, the producers whose goods we stock and much more. And..... Meanwhile, behind the scenes we are beavering away to populate a database so that you will be able to view our products in detail. Hopefully not long after that we will be able to offer a fully functional e-commerce website, where you will be able to order and pay for products online and have them delivered to your door!
Simply The Best would like to give a Big Thank You to Golspie Teddy Bear Club who have just been kind enough to come to us for a large selection of Kids' Number and Alpha Jigsaw Puzzles You'll have helped a lot of people in Sri Lanka.....
~ New Arrivals ~ A large range of Big People's Clothes imported from Bali, Nepal and India by Namaste UK; Tops, Skirts, Trousers, Dresses, Kaftans, Pixie Hooded and other Jackets "But where do they put them?" I hear you cry! Well, they're in our brand new Extra Room Full of Bags, Homewares, Handmade Gift Wrap and, of course - the new range of clothing! We also have more children's clothing, again from Namaste UK and ranging from 3 to 8 years - boys and girls! And there's more....Knitted Earflap Hats - in kids' sizes! Along with scarves and mittens. All in great bright colours and handmade in Nepal
CHOKOLIT! A new range of Fairly Traded and Ethical chocolate by Louis Barnett, a 17 year old entrepeneur. We have three 53.8% Dark Chocolate Bars for starters; Orange, which donates 10p per bar to Orang-Utan Societies Coconut, which donates 10p to the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (Black Rhinos) Banana, which donates 10p from each bar to the 2009 Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust And now also a Milk Choc Bar (33.6% Cocoa), donating 10p per bar to the Big Cat Initiative
Simply The Best - Now Open for 100 days and Serving over 1,000 Happy Customers!
Simply The Best have just received stock of the Rough Guide to the Music of Haiti. In conjunction with the producers World Music Network, they will together donate 100% of the purchase price of the CD to the Medecins Sans Frontieres Haiti Appeal Please come and buy this CD - not only will you get a CD of wonderful music, the full price of £8.99 will go to help the people of Haiti. It's a win-win situation! Make A Donation - 100% of The Rough Guide To Haiti sales donated On 12 January, 2010 a devastating earthquake struck Haiti, causing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Early reports suggest that as many as 50,000 people are feared dead, with many more people injured, displaced and at risk. "The situation is chaotic. I visited five medical centres, including a major hospital, and most of them were not functioning. I saw a distressing number of dead bodies. People have gathered outside, lighting fires in the street and trying to help and comfort each other. When they saw that I was from MSF they were asking for help, particularly to treat their wounded." Stefano Zannini, MSF head of mission MSF make a general statement that "£7 a month covers the cost of medicine to treat 68 people for Malaria in a country like Sudan." World Music Network will donate all proceeds from the sale of The Rough Guide To The Music Of Haiti to the Medecins Sans Frontieres Haiti Appeal
Simply The Best New Arrival! Just a little update on STB - we're sorry that we've been closed this last week (Sat 27th February onwards), but we're very happy to report that there is now a new Simply The Best Boy named Angus John Derek who was born in an ambulance, in a layby just outside Evanton at 2pm last Saturday. Weighing 8lb 1 1/2oz, Mum & Son are doing well... :-)
Simply The Best has been accepted as a Member of the British Association for Fair Trade Shops! Normal entry requirements are for a shop to have been trading for at least six months after which time an application for Membership may be made. This normally takes around 6 to 8 weeks. However, after only 11 weeks trading and less than 4 weeks after making an application, Simply The Best has been able to show enough commitment to Fair Trade to be accepted as a Full Member. In order for a shop to be considered for Membership, it must be able to show that 80% of the products on sale are Fair Trade goods, whether certified Fairtrade items or items that are Fairly Traded (please see the Fair Trade page for more information on the difference). Simply The Best are proud to confirm that of 1,537 product lines, 1,221 lines are Fairly Traded, of which 128 are Certified Fairtrade items. Of those that are not Fairly Traded, 91 are Organic and 225 are either Eco-Friendly or Ethical. Eco-Friendly items include recycled glassware from Spain, recycled coffee cup goods from Ashortwalk and also Onya bags. Ethical goods include World Music CDs, the Think Global range of which supports Oxfam, and greetings cards printed in Europe which again support causes such as Amnesty International; so not directly linked to Fair Trade but supporting the cause.

Home

Product Info/Brochure

What is Fair Trade?

Producer Info

Pix & Videos

Testimonials

Archived News

Contact Us/Map

~ Archived News ~

Product News

Hot off the press - our new brochure for 2011-2012 - download it above!

We have had so many new products since first opening a year ago it's hard to know where to start!

We now have 42 active suppliers, sourcing from 46 different countries and over 160 different producers

However, here is a list of most of our current products (we actually have over 2,700 separate, different product lines IN STOCK!);

The FULL range of Divine Chocolate bars, as well as Apricots, Mangoes and Brazil Nuts dipped in wonderful Divine Chocolate. One of very few places in the Highlands you can find the whole range, including the new 85% Dark and 70% Ginger & Orange Dark Chocolate

Fairtrade Sweeties and Fudge from Wish4 and Buchanan's

Wire Beaded and White Soapstone Sculptures from the Kisii region of Kenya in Africa, along with some Greetings Cards from the same area - these have wire figures on them

Books! About Fair Trade itself, Organic and Fair Trade Cookery, Healthy Living and a cool range of Children's books - books that help others, books that are eco-friendly and also some lovely inspirational and Christmas books, ideal for presents (I have two young children - I should know!)

Music! A large range of high quality music on CD from around the world - presented by Rough Guide and Putumayo Kids. A huge amount of choice for Children and Adults. You can also buy a CD with the track we use on the MFR advert. It's from Mozambique and it's Mega!

Incense - 21 different smells, along with various different types of holder. Also Fragrance Sachets.

Recycled glassware from Spain

Loads of different types of picture/photo frames

Baskets, Bowls, Cutlery Baskets - and Cutlery to put in them!

Large range of bags - felt, jute, recycled sari, canvas, cotton - so many!

Gorara Elephants and Owls - solid and undercut

An extensive range of scarves in various styles - very popular

A rapidly expanding range of hats - ski hats, wool and leather hats from Peru, brightly coloured felt hats from Nepal

Painted and carved wooden birds and animals from Indonesia

A large range of all shapes and sizes of box - wood, stone, bone, fabric

Lots of handmade (of course!) toys, puzzles and soft toys for babies and children

A super range of baby and childrenswear from Hooligans Kids in South Africa - really soft, thick and 100% Fair Trade cotton.

Lots more children's clothing from Hooligans Kids - we now cater for new born up to 8 years, boys and girls; tops, bottoms and dresses

A large range of Raku ceramic animals, again from South Africa

Lots of figurines - some really nice family groups in soapstone

A HUGE range of musical instruments, including Talking Drums, Thunder Drums, Calimba, Djembes, wooden flutes and goodness knows what else

Lots of jewellery - fashion items and also a greatly expanded range of 99.9% pure silver, from Luna Tree Jewellery, designed with the Karen Hill Tribes of Chiang Mai, Thailand

Toys, games and kids' stuff from Sri Lanka, courtesy of Lanka Kade - letters to make nameplates, clocks, height charts in many different ranges. If we don't stock it, we can order it for you...a catalogue is available to peruse in the shop

Large rag dolls (30" tall) dressed in Hooligans Kids gear

A new range of Fairtrade natural beauty products from Visionary Soap

Moon Phase Clocks and house numbers, expanding our range of products made from recycled coffee cups

Bobbin lace items; doilies and coasters - for a touch of luxury...

A great range of tableware made from Nito Vine - but going fast and unfortunately we won't be able to get any more for a (long) while, due to illness...

Super new wrapping paper - all handmade, Fairly Traded, from The Philippines, with matching ribbon...

Crocheted tea sets (yes, really!), dolls, animals and rattles from Bangladesh

A cool new range of tie-dyed Velvet Scarves

And don't forget our popular and super warm Yak's Wool scarves and shawls

Embroidered velvet purses - for pocket money at pocket money prices!

Impressive tableclothes - tie-dyed and embroidered. No, they're not "hippy"; just really different

Rasta-style scrunchies! Dreadlock felt!

Felt Bobble Necklaces

Funky embroidered tops for ladies and girlies - just the start of our range of Big People's clothing...

More Big People's clothing; Small to XL in dresses, skirts, tops, unisex shirts, trousers, kaftans, kurtas and jackets - men's and ladies'

A new range of Really Ethical (and Fairly Traded) chocolate called 'Chokolit' - various flavours and each bar helps a specific animal project, eg Orang Utans

We have a 'LOVE' section, with lots of 'heart-y' items; red heart boxes made from soapstone, large red soapstone hearts, small hearts with messages, sparkly heart boxes, beautiful Thuya Wood Heart Boxes

Chess Sets made from soapstone housed in a velvet lined box with marble inlaid chess board top

Wooden Puzzles and Games, including Dominoes and Dice

Lots of foods; jams, preserves, sauces, pasta, rice, dried fruits, biscuits - all Fairly Traded and/or Organic where possible. Don't miss the Swazi Fire Sauce from Swaziland!

Lots of different speciality Teas and Coffees! Divine Drinking Chocolate!

Household products - toilet rolls, kitchen towels, tissues, cleaners, firelighters, etc.

Toiletries - soaps, bath melts, bath and massage oils, deodorant, nail and body brushes, wooden combs - don't forget, all the Fairly Traded items are handmade products wherever possible!

Christmas & New Year Opening Times

From Monday January 9th we will be open 6 days a week, 9am to 5.30pm. CLOSED Sundays

For the THIRD Year,

Simply The Best is collecting for

MFR Cash for Kids

Toy Appeal

Please

Give

Generously!

STOP PRESS!!

Daily Telegraph Best Small Shop Awards 2011

(Launched Oct 2011)

*** Voting has now closed ***

Please vote for us in our category 'Best Corner Shop'

All voters are entered into a prize draw to win one of the following prizes;

A three-night stay for two at Hacienda San Rafael in southern Spain, a favourite destination of the luxury tailor-made holiday specialists The Ultimate Travel Company.

A four-night stay for a family of four at Polurrian Bay Hotel, Mullion, Cornwall.

A two-night stay for two people at one of Mallorca’s best boutique hotels – L’Avenida.

A two-night stay for two people at Château Saint-Martin & Spa in the south of France.

A two-night stay for two people at Linthwaite Country House Hotel in the Lake District.

* Voting has now closed *

MSF make a general statement that "£7 a month covers the cost of medicine to treat 68 people for Malaria in a country like Sudan."

World Music Network will donate all proceeds from the sale of The Rough Guide To The Music Of Haiti to the Medecins Sans Frontieres Haiti Appeal