Steve Kember is a specialist restorer of antique musical boxes and mechanical antiques and has had a shop on Cinque Port Street Rye for more years than he can remember. “I have been here sixteen years,” he said. “For a long time I have been telling people about eight years and then I came across the old sale sheets a little while ago and, sure enough, it is sixteen years.
“To make the shop work, I like to have a variety of antiques on offer. I would sublet a few cabinets in the shop to other dealers who have specialist knowledge and expertise in other areas. The result is the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.”
You are closing the shop, so what is next?
“You have to keep reassessing things in business. Everything changes, and if you don’t change with it, you are in trouble. In the past, I was more focussed on buying and selling mechanical antiques to restore. I would add value by offering these items fully restored and guaranteed, this is not something a buyer gets from an auction. Business now involves less selling and more provision of restoration services. This has doubtless been helped by my contributions to the TV programme, The Repair Shop. Consequently, having a shop is less important and having a workshop is more important. Since Covid, footfall to my shop has declined, now I will focus on offering restoration services. Most enquiries come via my website rather than passing trade.
“In addition, running a shop has become so much more expensive. I felt my time in Rye had run its course. As much as I love being in Rye, it is time to move on. I am turning the page to the next chapter.
“One of the reasons that I opened a shop in Rye was the fact that Rye has many independent traders offer their services with passion and expertise. This makes Rye a jewel of a town that should be cherished and encouraged. Life could be made a little easier if the parking options were improved. My customers have often found themselves challenged and inconvenienced when trying to park. This must affect other traders in Rye so this may be something the council can look into in the future.”
To contact Steve Kember go to his website or email him on enquiries@antique-musicboxes.com.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .