It could be argued, by an idiot (that i am, so that i shall), that Margate has been in a constant Spring for the last two years. The amount of new businesses springing up, new creatives sprang from London and media attention that has blossomed from our humble seaside abode.
Before I sprang from Margate in December for a ridiculous on-going filmmaking job, which may be the most expensive and most offensive thing ever made for the internet. I become one of the only people to get a job as our traditionally touristic summer season came to a close.
What was the job? Tough to label it, i’ll describe some of the main duties. Cleaning nine foot tall Nutcrackers, & Antique baths, carefully transporting a lot Neon lights and i do mean a lot. Addressing the ‘Agenda’, making sure old bits of Dreamland rollercoasters didn’t get taken by the wind and kill an innocent passer by in King Street. Taking a dog named ‘Castle’ for a mid morning piss on the beach. Whilst sweeping and doing all of the above (apart from piss-break) in the heart of the old town, in a long brown coat.
If you are a local you should have sussed early on in the list of duties above, that i was of course working for the institution that is ‘Margate Retro’. For those of you unaware, i shall educate you about the business, who unlike the recently sprang shops have been, to quote the owner himself ‘OPERATIONAL’ for over six years. If you know of MR BROWN’S empire, you know whats to be expected, unexpected retro products and service with a warm smile and one of the best laughs I’ve ever encountered.
His story is one i discussed with him over many a pot noodle. Joe has travelled far and wide returning to his beloved Margate six years ago, with Kelly by his side (a deeply stylish lady with better hair than me) to establish Margate Retro, Black Deep, as well as tourist-must Fort Yard. Most recently he’s acquired The Old Fishing Tackle shop, soon to be alight with enough Neon lights to give Stevie Wonder an epileptic shock.
Before claiming the crown of King street Joe was a gardener, and its fair to say he’s planted, loved and grown something special in the old town. p.s i’m not calling him a drug dealer.
The eccentric melange of products is a testament to an eccentric bloke, one who is able to dabble in the art world, recite prose with Poets, blag, wheel and deal as if the Jolly Boy Outings Only Fools and Horses special never left Margate. He’s an extremely hard working man possibly one of Margate’s most significant grafters. Once his shops remained opened for 56 consecutive days, locals can vouch for this. As you can’t claim many trips you’ve taken into the old town without seeing a bloke in a brown coat arranging furniture on the pavement can you?
eggydave 