News
Back On The Road
2 weeks ago the engine on the transit van blew up, yes blew up – conrod straight through the bottom! Faced with weeks off the road and huge expense to replace it, I luckily found this furniture removal truck previously owned by mick at adopt-a-chair and he has done it...
The People You Meet
Most people think that my job is just a treasure hunter, but the best part of my job is without a doubt the people I meet. We have some incredibly interesting people shop with us, many are artistic, eccentric, quirky, plenty who are in every week looking for some sort...
The Days of Collecting Footy Cards
I’m sure many of you fondly remember swapping footy cards or swap cards in the school ground? Pockets bulging with cards and rubber bands, the excitement of opening those wax packets, the pink chewing gum, the smell, and 6 cards; what a pity our children today are not...
The Life of a Collector
We are all bowerbirds, some more than others. Each week I will explore the joys of collecting and try to answer some of the many questions we receive. Collectors drive their partners mad (unless you’re fortunate enough to have a partner who also collects). Every nook...
Restoring your Bakelite Treasures
Bakelite was the first plastic made from synthetic components. Developed in 1909, it played an important part in design and fashion, initially developed for the radio industry because of its non-conductive properties and heat resistance. In 1911 Thomas Edison chose it...
Expanding to the Antique Emporium
In late 2004 we realised the potential of Ancient Relics (our previous business) and the possibility of expanding what we offered considerably – in particular, antiquarian books, collectables, antiques, and the unusual. In 2005 we managed to purchase (subject to...
In The Beginning
I’m often asked how our business started and how I come to opening the Antique Emporium. After 4 previous businesses in Devonport, this is number 5. My previous businesses were all very different. First at age 22 was The Soapbox (franchise selling soaps/cleaners),...