New premises and more life at Vi Ses Odense

The first period in the new premises at Nørregade 13 has largely been about getting to know the building, both for employees and customers. For us, it has been important to create a setting where someone who is blind or visually impaired can find their way around and feel safe. Therefore, we have been continuously fine-tuning the placement of various items, both in the shop, in the workshop, and in our break room.

It takes time to figure out what works best in everyday life, but we are already experiencing that the building is beginning to feel like ours.

The move has meant a great deal for Vi Ses Odense. In particular, we are pleased that the workshop now has significantly better working conditions. We have, among other things, received height-adjustable workbenches, better lighting, and more space around the individual workstations. This provides both better ergonomics and more optimal conditions for the craftsmanship that takes place in the workshop every day.

At the same time, the shop itself has taken on a completely new look. We have had vinyl applied to the windows, which shows who we are and makes us far more visible in the streetscape. We have received a lot of positive feedback here, both on the visibility and the design. More customers say that they think everything is much better coordinated and that the shop now reflects the quality of our products to a greater extent.

We are also very pleased with the interior, and especially with the view customers have into the workshop. Being able to see the craftsmanship and the people who work with the products creates an authentic experience. It is something we think suits Vi Ses Odense very well.

Compared to our old location, we find that the new premises give us completely different visibility and connection with the city. We get daily visits from tourists, and we have become part of the Odense City Association. This means that many different visitors pass by every single day, both local customers, tourists, and people who may not have known us at all before.

There is also a slightly amusing historical connection to the building. Before we moved into Nørregade 13, there had been a watchmaker in the premises for more than 170 years. We have actually already felt that, as several customers have come in and asked if we can change the battery in their watch. So in that way, something of the building's old history lives on, just with Vi Ses Odense as the new tenant.

In general, customers have really well received the new store. Many are curious about what is going on behind the scenes, and we frequently find that customers seek knowledge and information from the staff working in the workshop.

One of the slightly more unusual experiences involved a Danish customer from abroad, where our workshop employee Jesper practically ended up acting as a personal shopper. The customer needed help and guidance and received such good service that Jesper was dragged around the store to help find exactly the right things.

It ended with a rather large purchase. Of course, it is always wonderful when a customer becomes so enthusiastic about what we do that it can be felt in the shopping bag. And at the same time, it is a fun reminder that our little store in Odense can actually attract customers from far away.

First and foremost, we hope that the new premises and central location will help create even more activity and revenue around Vi Ses Odense. Our great wish is that this growth can help create space for more employees in the workshop. And preferably with even more types of crafts.

We dream that over time Vi Ses Odense can become an even bigger place for quality craftsmanship and perhaps accommodate more different craft traditions. One great wish, for example, is that we can offer chair caning in Odense, or perhaps bring in a weaver or a basket weaver as part of the workshop.

The new premises give us some opportunities that we didn't have before. Now we have to use them to further develop Vi Ses Odense and create a place where customers, employees, and craftsmanship can all thrive.