The town has a wide range of cafes, pubs and restaurants to choose from. The first Saturday of every month brings the popular Farmers' Market while the annual Autumn Food and Drink festival in October attracts in excess of 20,000 visitors.
The town is situated on the Trent and Mersey Canal and has its own railway station. Alongside the selection of food and drink outlets are an array of independent shops selling gifts, fashion, jewellery and homeware.
We spoke to some of the traders on the town's High Street about what Stone has got to offer visitors.
JOLU BOUTIQUE
Run by mother and daughter team Val Durham and Jodie Bradford, who both live in the town, Jolu sells a huge range of quirky products including gifts, jewellery, accessories and clothing.
Jodie, aged 36, said: "We sell brands including Joma jewellery, Katie Loxton, Powder and Brakeburn clothing. We also have local artists and Moorland Pottery.
I have my own jewellery brand and design my own cards and we sell our own candles which are made upstairs by my step-dad Ken.
"I think the independent shops make Stone. We have got lots of great food and drink places and a little bit of retail therapy is always nice.
"We've noticed that people are supporting local businesses more since lockdown, which has helped us to bounce back.
"It's such a friendly place and people support each other."
Lively
Artisan interior store Lively has only been open for a couple of months. Owner Russelle Kilroe describes the shop as a 'concept store' which sells a wide selection of goods including furniture, homeware, kitchenware, eco-products, pottery and textiles.
The 32-year-old said: "We source our products from a mixture of small brands and big brands. We bring in a small quantity to avoid over-production and once they are gone, they're gone. It means we can support small companies and independent businesses.
"My husband comes from Stone and I really like it, it feels like home. People support the local businesses and the businesses help each other out. The ethos of the business is collaboration over competition.
"Stone is a special town. People are really friendly, there is a mixture of different shops. You can walk to the canal, have a nice dinner or catch a coffee with friends."
Clover
Run by another mum and daughter team, Leanne Stanton and Shaylyn Kent, Clover cafe may not have opened were it not for the coronavirus lockdown.
The coffee shop, which opened last October, offers 'fresh, home-baked, home-made wholesome food' at breakfast and lunchtimes.
Leanne said: "We always had a dream of opening a coffee shop and lockdown certainly pushed us to do that. Shaylyn came home from university and my job meant I was at home on the phone which I didn't like. This property became available so we went for it.
"Stone is a pretty town which is really coming to life now and starting to feel like it did a few years ago. It has lovely people, a lovely culture and a lovely atmosphere."
Josie
Ladies clothing boutique Josie moved to its current location from another premises four years ago.
Owner Tracy Stant, aged 48, said: "We stock brands that you wouldn't find in high street stores. We've got something for all age groups and, while there are some expensive pieces, we also have a lot of affordable pieces.
"A lot of the brands have an ethos of sustainability which is important to a lot of people now who don't want disposable fashion.
"Stone offers a nice day out. There are plenty of places to shop, you can go for lunch, have a drink, feel safe. It's very friendly and we have great events like the food festival which bring people in."
What do shoppers think?
Shirley Bradbury, aged 53, has lived in Stone for 30 years. She said: "There are some nice little shops here. I love Jolu, the cards are fantastic and if I ever need a gift I go there.
I like to come to town to support the local businesses, if I need to buy a gift or I want some clothes. We also have great events here like the food festival."
Paul Jenkins, aged 70, moved to the town three years ago. He said: "One of the things that attracted me was it was a canal town, not too large, and in my view it's up and coming. I do love sitting down by the canal.
"One of the things we first noticed was how friendly people were.
"We go out of our way to support local, independent businesses in the town. They need it and they deserve it, hats off to all of them."
THANK YOU TO Aimi Redfern FOR THE LOVELY ARTICLE FOR THE STOKE-ON-TRENT LIVE PAGE FOR STOKE SENTINEL
Read the article here!
https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/stone-famous-quirky-shops-meet-5989814?utm_source=linkCopy&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar
