Traders left devastated by the closure of an antiques emporium have received a “warm welcome” at their new home.
The Hampstead Antique and Crafts Emporium was closed for good at the start of this year, leaving many traders with nowhere to sell their goods.
But almost one year on from the closure, two dealers have found a new home at Alfies Antique Market in Lisson Grove.
The market was first opened more than 40 years ago, and is now host to almost 100 independent shops selling rare artefacts, vintage items and other collectibles.
Leah Michie, who ran a jewellery and sustainable gift stall at the Hampstead Emporium for 20 years, admitted that the shock of the market shutting down was “unimaginable”.
She said: “The last year has been challenging. After all, we were all established in Hampstead but with loyal customers and new ones we make it work even though it’s hard at times.”
Leah added that she visited Alfies the day after she was told that the emporium in Hampstead would shut, and agreed with other traders that its basement “was the right space for us”.
She said: “A year on I still find corners in Alfie’s I haven’t seen – one of the last antique markets in London.”
Tanya Bielschowsky, who runs a mid-century art and design business, said that she was “over the moon” when she was offered a space at Alfies.
She explained: “I had been trading from Hampstead for quite a few years and had an established client base.
“As a community of traders, we had overcome a great deal, highs and lows in the economy, fought through Covid closures, and the media and technological revolution in retail.
“But we were no competition for the developers.”
Tanya admitted that although she has received a warm welcome at Alfies and enjoys the “new vibe”, it has not been easy to start again in a new location and with new clients.
She added: “We are rapidly adapting to our new audience and hoping to continue attracting new customers and antique lovers.”
The basement at Alfies – where Tanya and Leah are located – also hosts monthly exhibitions celebrating local artists.
The exhibitions run for two weeks at a time and the art on display is available to buy.
Staplepine, which used to run the Hampstead Antique & Craft Emporium in Heath Street, previously told Ham and High that it had “little choice” but to close the market.
Director Richard Jaffe said: “Costs have been increasing year after year, exponentially so in the last year, reaching a point where it's no longer financially viable for us to stay open.
"I understand traders are sad and so are we but it's not something we can avert any more."
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