From Herne Hill to Borough Yards: The 18-Day Shop Sprint
They say if you want something done, ask a busy person. Well, we’ve certainly put that theory to the test!
We are absolutely thrilled to share that Forget Me Not and Green officially opened its doors at Borough Yards on the 1st of April. Looking back at the last few weeks, it feels like a beautiful, chaotic blur. We went from signing the lease to welcoming our first customers in just two and a half weeks.
It was a whirlwind of ordering stock, marathon unboxing, and a lot of caffeine, but we couldn't be prouder of our new home on Dirty Lane, in Borough Yards right next to Borough Market.
Sustainability in Every Stitch (and Shelf)
At Forget Me Not and Green, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s our DNA. When it came to outfitting the new space, buying brand-new furniture simply wasn’t an option. We spent our short window sourcing reclaimed and second-hand pieces that fit our ethos perfectly. Shout out to Aladdin's Vintage Furniture & Cafe in North London, a treasure trove of antique furniture and amazing coffee.
Every item in our store has a previous life and a story to tell. From the grand secretariat - which we spent hours meticulously cleaning and prepping - to the sturdy shelving now housing our latest collections, everything was chosen to keep our footprint light and our style timeless.
A Mural That Bridges Two Worlds
The true centrepiece of the shop is the stunning mural by the incredibly talented local artist, Jessica Kendrew. We have stocked Jessica’s beautiful cards in our Herne Hill store for a long time, so having her bring our Borough Yards walls to life felt like a lovely full-circle moment.
The mural is a love letter to our roots and our new neighbourhood:
A Taste of Home: It features elements of Brockwell Park, the heart of Herne Hill where our journey began.
The Green Door: You’ll spot a signature green door (in our favourite Forget Me Not and Green shade!) acting as a portal between the wild and the urban.
A City View: Looking through the foliage, you can see the iconic London skyline.
Local Legends: Jessica perfectly captured the urban animals - like our resident fox and hedgehog - and the Spring flowers that brighten up the city.
The "Behind the Scenes" Chaos
What does it actually take to open a shop in 17.5 days? It took a village (and a very reliable van!). Our journey involved:
Sourcing & Logistics: Multiple van trips to rescue reclaimed furniture and get it on-site.
Stocking Up: Navigating mountains of boxes to ensure our shelves were bursting with cards, candles, and gifts.
Building the Team: We’ve been busy interviewing and welcoming fantastic new staff members who share our passion for local craft.
We Are Open - Come Say Hello!
Whether you’re a long-time friend from Herne Hill or a Borough local discovering us for the first time, we can’t wait to see you. We’ve poured our hearts (and a significant amount of elbow grease) into this space, and seeing it full of people makes every late night worth it.
See the tour of our shop here!
Where: 35 Dirty Lane, Borough Yards
When: Open now!
Pop in to check out Jessica’s masterpiece, browse our sustainable finds, and say hi to the team.