Something a bit different is coming to York – as a brand new ‘gothic rock & roll boutique’ is set to open.
Nox Of York will open at 43 Goodramgate on Saturday (15 February) from 10am.
The building was previously home to Viking-themed gift store. Knutti, which we reported in January had closed up shop. Now it’s time for something uniquely new!
Nox Of York is the brainchild of Oli Brown and Hannah Heretik, who are the owners of alternative jewellery companies Black Feather Design and Luna Lux Design.
They started their own brands initially through lockdown.
“We started to sell jewellery online, through Etsy initially, and it started to grow quite fast for us,” said Oli.
“I don’t think we ever meant to take it as seriously as it ended up being, but it became something that we really love doing because we get to create unique jewellery that we feel is missing.”
Oli and Hannah both also work in the music industry, with Hannah working backstage with organising events and looking after artists and Oli being a musician himself.
They had stalls for their brands at 18 festivals last year, including Download, Bloodstock and Graspop.
Favourite city
But they decided it was time to find a brick and mortar location. Though Oli and Hannah live in Retford, York is their ‘favourite city’.
“We just love it,” said Oli. “Yorkshire’s got such a great community, and there’s a quite nice alternative community here that we feel we could bring something unique and different.”
The new venture on Goodramgate will be the first official brick and mortar location for the two brands, and will also offer products from some of the ‘very best’ gothic small businesses from across the globe.
It will offer products such jewellery, candles, fragrances, home decor, wall art, and more.
“We’re trying to find things that you can’t find on the high street.”
Some of the stockists revealed so far are beard oil company The Bald Viking Beard Company and artist Jon Turner Illustration, and Nox of York is set to be the only current UK stockists for scent company Seance Perfume and candle makers Graveyard Wanders.
The shop aims to be a welcoming environment for all. “We want to welcome whoever has an interest in what we might do,” said Hannah. “We want to be inviting for everyone.
“We want it to be a safe place for our community, but also somewhere that people can come and learn about the aesthetic – and even if you’re not totally goth or rock and roll, you might still come in and like something.”
Oli and Hannah also hope to build a community as they’re planning to hosts events on the second floor of the shop too – including tarot readings, seances, and live music.
“Everyone seems excited for us to open,” said Hannah – particularly after one of their TikToks went viral. “We’ve had full support from everyone, which is really nice.”
Nox of York will open from Saturday 15 February at 10am. It will be open every day during the Jorvik Viking Festival (17-23 February) and after that will be open Thursdays to Sundays.
To find out more and to stay up to date with Nox Of York, visit their website, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook pages.