About Salamandar

Salamandar began in 2002, not with a shop — but with a table, a gazebo, and a passion for beautiful, thoughtful things. What started as doing local stalls and markets quickly grew into something much bigger, thanks to loyal customers and a love for finding products that make people smile.

In 2008, we took the leap and opened our very first Salamandar shop in Yateley. It was a huge milestone and the beginning of our journey as a true high-street independent. Four years later, in November 2012, we opened our Fleet shop, allowing us to grow our range and welcome even more customers into the Salamandar world.

Eight years ago, we made the decision to close our Yateley store and focus entirely on Fleet, where Salamandar continues to thrive today.

Salamandar was originally founded by Domini and Karen, two friends with a shared vision of creating a warm, welcoming gift shop full of personality. In March 2023, Karen stepped away from the business to pursue another career path, but our friendship remains as strong as ever — and she will always be part of Salamandar’s story.

For over 20 years, we’ve been proud to champion small brands and independent makers. Wherever possible, we source products from within the UK, building long-standing relationships with wonderful suppliers who share our values of quality, creativity, and heart. Supporting other small businesses is incredibly important to us — it’s part of what makes independent retail so special.

Today, Salamandar is proudly female-founded and independently run, with the same passion that started it all back in 2002. Whether you visit us in person or shop online, our aim is always the same: to offer beautiful gifts, friendly service, and a little bit of joy.

Thank you for being part of our story.