O U R S T O R Y
In 2005 we bought our first shop – a small gift shop at the lower of Alfriston High Street. It was called The Old Apiary – having previously been the home of a well-known Victorian bee keeper called James Pagden. (His principal claim to fame was the ‘Pagden method’ of artificial swarming, which is still used by bee keepers today.)
Two years later, a chance meeting convinced us that the time was right to take the business in a new direction – selling women’s fashion and accessories. Business flourished and we soon recognised the need to expand.
In 2014 the opportunity came to buy The Tudor House – an historic listed building in the centre of Alfriston. For both of us, it was a dream come true – a wonderful old house, full of beams, nooks and crannies and a large walled garden. We jumped at the chance!
Excited by the potential of our new home, we set about developing the business – doubling the size of the clothes shop, opening a coffee shop, running the tea garden and starting a monthly Supper Club.
Five summers later – with the help of our amazing staff – The Apiary has become one of the most popular places to visit in Alfriston.
But the story doesn’t end there. We have more ideas to explore, more plans to pursue – and we look forward to sharing these with you over the coming year.
Amanda & Stephen Rabagliati
August 2018