In a retail landscape often dominated by national chains, Blåbär Nordic Living is proud to celebrate its 10th anniversary this February, based on Lacy Road in Putney. If you have never visited you have certainly missed out! Founded in 2016 by partners Sandra West and Oliver Goodier, the independent Scandinavian café and lifestyle store has become a blueprint for high street survival through authentic leadership, design, and a strong sense of community. Stop by for a cinnamon bun, a coffee whilst also being able to buy the perfect Scandinavian gift for a friend or trust treat yourself.
Blåbär’s success is rooted in the complementary strengths of its founders. Sandra West, a Swedish-born entrepreneur, is the driving force behind the brand’s community-led approach. What began as a personal longing for home soon evolved into a space that resonated deeply with local residents. Drawing on her Nordic upbringing, Sandra created a place centred around warmth and connection, values that continue to shape the business ten years on.
Over the past decade, Sandra has navigated the business through a changing economic climate, building a loyal customer base that views Blåbär as a sanctuary of
slow living. “Reaching ten years is a milestone that belongs to our customers as much as it does to us,” says Sandra. “When I started Blåbär, I wanted to move away from corporate life and build something with a heart. Watching this community grow, from the families who visit every weekend to the remote workers who use our space as an office, has been the most rewarding part of this journey.”
Co-founder Oliver Goodier brings a unique creative perspective to the partnership. While supporting the shop’s vision, Oliver continues to work as a leading Art Director on major film features, including Dunkirk and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Together, they have created a space that functions as a living set, where Sandra’s operational leadership meets Oliver’s cinematic design. The store’s curated feel is rooted in the art of the high street and shaped through close collaboration. Oliver Goodier brings principles of spatial storytelling from his film work into the store’s evolving design. “Sandra is very much the heartbeat of Blåbär,” says Goodier. “She has an instinctive understanding of what people need from a place like this. My role has been to support that vision by thinking about atmosphere and flow, how the space feels when you walk in. In many ways, it’s like a living set, slowly changing while still feeling familiar.”
Looking ahead, Sandra and Oliver are expanding the brand’s reach. In 2026, Blåbär will introduce a range of its own branded lifestyle products and continue to develop its online shop, allowing a wider audience to experience the brands while keeping its roots firmly in Putney. Ten years on, Blåbär remains what it has always aimed to be: a welcoming Nordic corner built on care, creativity and community, and a reminder that independent businesses can still thrive when they stay true to themselves.
We are so lucky they chose Putney to open their beautiful business and wish them even more success in their next decade.