Hello & Welcome
Hi - I'm Kathy, (on the right) the founder and owner of Gifted. I started the business in 2004 after a career in retail and a degree in Art. I love beautiful things and believe they enrich our lives - and if they are handmade, upcycled or doing good somehow, then even better. My sister, Helen, was roped in to help after I had my son and we now run the business equally together. Luckily she is more organised than me which has been very helpful as we have grown and got busier.
Gifted is now a 5 room mini department store, with lots to discover and an ever changing range of fairtrade, handmade, sustainable goods, clothes and refill. We have a small selection available to buy online, but the best way to see what we do is to come visit us.
The Recorders House
Gifted is located in The Recorders House in Thaxted's Town Street. The Recorders House, c1465, has a Tudor interior which boasts linen fold panelling and a huge brick fireplace. There are carvings under the oriole windows at the front which depict King Edward IV coat of arms. It is rumoured that he had the building erected as a hunting lodge although this is disputed by some local historians. It is more widely accepted that William Benlowes, sergeant at law, worked here 'recording' the taxes, giving this unusual building its name.