About
the business
Cookshop Plus, located in West Hartford center, is a family owned and operated independent Gourmet Kitchenware, Homewares business.
Cookshop Plus was originally established in
Bowral, New South Wales, Australia in 2002. The business has been owned
and operated by Joanne and Terry Ryan since early 2004. The Bowral business
continues to operate in Australia.
Cookshop Plus Bowral is a winner of numerous
local, national and international Retailing awards including the Global
Innovators Award bestowed by the International Housewares Association in
Chicago.
At Cookshop Plus we aim to have a product
mix which is affordable, stylish and above all, top quality. We have everything
from kitchenware, cookware, dining, entertaining, as well as a full range of
gifts for the host or hostess.
Having the two businesses, means that we now have the ability to provide each business with access to products that are not readily available in their specific locations.
As we build the business in West Hartford,
we will be sourcing more and more unique products from Australia
About
the owners
The West Hartford business is the
culmination of a major life change process for the Ryan and Hines families.
Following many years of operating the Bowral
store, and numerous buying trips to the U.S. for that store, Terry & Joanne
handed over the reins to their daughter Samantha and her husband James Hines.
Having learned and expanded the business, the entire family was looking
for a new challenge.
While visiting friends in West Hartford, Joanne
and Terry fell in love with the area and most particularly the community.
Cookshop Plus West Hartford is the result. The process of moving to
a new country, gaining visas and starting a business from scratch has been more
than challenging at times, but we have been wonderfully supported by the local
community, Chamber of Commerce, Town Officials etc.