Owner of Storky Baby, Caron Webb, attended a Keep it Local event at Havering Town Hall for independent businesses across the borough last month where she spoke to the Recorder about the business’ Romford-rich history.
Storky Baby, which sells clothes for babies and young children, was established 84 years ago in Romford Market.
“It started when family friends started selling handmade nappies and then they went on to handmade clothes and then wholesalers got involved – they were good friends of my grandmother,” said Caron.
Storky Baby sells clothes for babies and young children in Romford (Image: Gianni Cirillo) “I took the business over when they retired 27 years ago and we’re still in Romford market today.”
Storky has two locations in Romford – one stall in the market and one shop in the Mercury Mall, both of which Caron runs with her daughter, Nicole.
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“We’re family run – it’s lovely to have my daughter Nicole with me as well – she’s just had a baby so I’ve become a nan and I’m in the best industry for it!” said Caron.
“She runs the shop while I’m in the market doing the nitty-gritty bit – it works really well as a family run business.
Caron explained that a having a family business in her hometown was always the goal as she was inspired from an early age by her grandmother, a well-known figure around Romford.
“The Recorder used to host a weekly piece called ‘Nellie’s Nostalgia’ where she would do a piece of writing about charity and doing things like the carnival.
“Ever since I could walk I was in my nan’s shop, Simms’ Florist in Quadrant Arcade, where she would grow and sell her own flowers.
“From a very young age I was working with my grandmother and my family, so I definitely come from the background of family-run businesses.”
Around eight years ago, Caron set up a shop in Chelmsford, but closed it down two years later as she bought a location in the Mercury Mall and decided to focus on Romford instead.
Caron said that she’s “looking to get back into Chelmsford” as well as expanding into Braintree but “without a doubt” will remain in Romford as well.
“Romford is in my family,” she added.
“I like the industry. Because I’ve been doing this for 27 years, I get to see women whose mums brought them into the shop when they were first born and now they’re buying for their own babies so I get to see the second generations – it’s really nice.
“Just generally, I love talking to people and meeting customers.
“I’m very passionate about Romford because of my family background – I always tell my children and family to shop in Romford.”
