About us
MAY ALL THAT ENTER LEAVE AS FRIENDS
Tutu was born out of frustration, as a dance teacher being unable to size up and order ballet shoes for our show. It was causing me sleepless nights, our local dance store had recently closed and trying to shop online for 42 pairs of ballet shoes was a nightmare. Sizing issues, poor quality, wrong orders, returns, unhelpful customer service and out of stock items were making it a difficult task. One evening whilst ranting to my dad he turned round and just said ‘well if you are struggling to get items why don’t you just do it yourself?’ and the idea was planted.
That’s all it was, until a chance encounter a few weeks later whilst on a dog walk we bumped into our neighbour who was retiring his business and the shop premises were becoming vacant. The next day I called the vendor and went it view the space. It was far from ideal with holes in the ceiling, you could look right through to the top floor, uneven surfaces, no heating and the whole place needed a 21st century upgrade, not to mention there was a lot of interest but I submitted my forms and left it up to fate. A few weeks later I got the call, it was mine if I wanted it.
Things quickly gathered momentum both prepping the property and sourcing stock all whilst quietly wondering at 23 could I really do this, having never ran a business before. I had been a self employed dance teacher since being 18 but that was different I worked for someone who handled all the business side and despite dancing from 2 years old the only real knowledge I really had was the dance attire and costumes I’d worn over the years and the few years as a dance teacher kitting out my kids to be show and exam ready, of which I’d always relied on Dapet the dance shop that had been around since I first started out.
Despite that I pushed on, the hours and days turned and the building and suppliers all started to fall into place and a shop was being created. Many nights were spend sorting stock, ordering signs and sorting advertising, hanging shelves, painting, ordering takeaways to get me through doing the accounts, with bursts of apprehension and joy thrown in along the way for good measure but in September 2009 our doors to Tutu Dancewear finally opened and with the support of local dance schools and the community we got off to a great start.
We chose leading brands across all areas of dance, ballroom and gymnastics to offer a wide range of professional and great quality to our customers. We continue to shop around whether that be for price, individuality, craftsman ship or ethos and love scouting out amongst our brands basics some new and exciting companies to bring a variety. We deal with big well know brands like Bloch, Capezio, freed of London, Pineapple, Roch Valley to name a few as well as smaller more lucrative companies like Bauwi, Mirella, RP collection, Lulli and for our more niche markets we offer brands like The Zone, Dancesteps, bunheads and Merlet.
Our mantra has always been ‘for all your dancing needs’ and it’s something from day 1 we have always strived for. Moving with the times, listening to our customers wants and needs and having a full shop revamp in 2018 allowing us a designated pointe shoe area, a second changing room, our ‘tiny dancer’ area and more room for our ever growing shopping habit, it’s been a never ending mission of ours.
2020 like for most was a testing year business wise, the arts industry took a hard knock and even when the world started to open up, due to social distancing, classes, performances, exams and such like were still a no go. We remained closed until regulations completely lifted which was a much longer period than we ever anticipated. We are proud that we made it through and although testing we feel it’s allowed us to really take stock of our business and continue to grow and improve year on year to recover better than ever. Our upmost thanks goes to our customers who voted with their feet and came back in to shopped with us, we are eternally grateful.
Over the last decade we have brought to you the best brands in the industry to present all traditional dance items. Offering a huge range of stock at all times within everything we sell, as well as keeping up with the growing trends within the dance, ballroom and gymnastics world.
We are easy to find, being based on the busy shopping area of Chatsworth Road in Chesterfield, Derbyshire and with our knowledge and years of expertise we will be happy to help with anything you may need.
In November 2013 We were blessed to have Nikki join the team. She grew up in the industry and despite having a little dance career break, it was clearly in her DNA to be back. Starting off as part time whilst raising a young family she grew with us as the shop expanded. Now our full time manager, all round lovely person, fully informed with no task being too much we wouldn’t be the tutu we are today without her and I’m sure you all agree. A happy friendly face who takes a genuine interest and a head like a walking dance catalogue we value her so much both professionally and personally.
We have the best weekend, after school and school holiday staff we could ask for and always have. It’s never easy seeing them go but knowing they are off to follow their own dreams is an honour to watch. A massive amount of our staff head off to dance schools, collages and universities around the country or on to their own dance careers in varying ways. Our staff are from dance backgrounds with a thirst to help and support you on your dance journey. We love seeing our customers grow both in their abilities but also physically, knowing many of them from toddler to teen and beyond. It’s great having a little catch up on their latest show, exam or competition. And now we are hitting that second generation wave where the customers who used to come to us as kids are now bringing in their children and that's bringing us such grateful and beautiful moments.
We always offer a relaxed and encouraging atmosphere with a smiley face, plenty of interest and expanding knowledge and our very best service.
So come and have a look around with no obligation. We look forward to seeing you all, and thankyou for all your continued support.
MAY ALL THAT ENTER LEAVE AS FRIENDS - WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU SOON