Bill Gallagher's adaptation of the classic French novel by Emile Zola relocates the love story to a thriving Northern city in Britain, set against the backdrop of The Paradise, England's first department store. Young, ambitious country girl Denise Lovett arrives in the city and lands a job at the store. Her creativity - and beauty - is immediately noticed by the store's dashing owner, John Moray, who is already courting Lady Katherine Glendenning, the daughter of a wealthy banker whom Moray needs to charm to secure a loan for his store's expansion. Can Moray put aside personal pursuits and remain committed to his store, the one thing he truly loves? Helping Moray keep his focus is his right-hand man, Dudley, and Jonas, whose authority to fire any of the girls in the store leaves them wary of his presence.