New shop on Shambles has sweet smell of success

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David Harris in sweet smelling Shambles shop Mooch. Click on the image for the full picture

A family hobby has proved such a hit that it has evolved into a thriving new shop on Shambles.

As soon as you walk into Mooch York you are assailed by delicious scents. Selling handmade soaps and gifts, it was opened earlier this month by Melissa and David Harris.

They had been making soaps at home for some time, but never intended to turn family fun into a business.

Then David, who runs his own runs his IT business, Genius Support on Shambles, heard the lease for the shop under his office was available.

It seemed like an opportunity too good to turn down. Mooch York was born.

The shop is filled with an array of colourful and different scented soaps, bath bombs, lotions, oils. Mooch also sells accessories like wooden soap dishes.

There are also a number of reclaimed and up-styled crafts made by a York maker known as the Ladybug.

All of the products are made in Yorkshire, with half made by the family themselves at home.

Soaps are made entirely from vegetable oil with no animal products. The colours and essential oils are sourced from all over the world.

The Harris children are the creative force behind the children’s range which include dinosaurs and other funky shapes.

Most of the customers in its opening three weeks have been tourists but David said they hope “word of mouth” will bring more locals through their door.

Best sellers so far have been the handmade Mooch soap bars (£3.29), their bath bombs (£3.50 – look out for the banoffee pie). The York Rose soap, with its delicate real rose topping, is another early favourite.

Mooch York is at 43 Shambles, on the corner with Little Shambles, and is open daily from 10am-5pm. There is a mix and match offer on and a discount for students and the armed forces.

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