We caught up with the owner of Kelham Island’s latest addition, the Kelham Flea, an antiques and vintage emporium which will be opening its doors this Saturday.
The Kelham Flea will offer a wide range of goods from contemporary art to industrial salvage and everything in between. Describing the stock as an “eclectic mix of pre-loved treasures and bespoke goods”, the owner is confident there will be something for everyone at the centre.
The traders featured in the centre are local and independent, from Sheffield, York and Leeds. One standout range is the beautiful reclaimed furniture, fashioned from wooden pallets, designed and build locally by Mucky River Creative. “No need to go to IKEA for your furniture anymore,” the shop’s owner joked. In addition to Mucky River, several other well-renowned traders have partnered with Kelham Flea including Miss Samantha’s Vintage, who was voted Sheffield’s Best Women’s Retailer at the Exposed Awards this year. Miss Samantha will be joined by Seven Hills Reclamation, which offers high quality architectural salvage and antiques sourced from across Europe.
Nestled in the heart of Kelham Island, Sheffield’s up and coming industrial quarter, the emporium is in good company. Fans of vintage and antique goods flock to Kelham Island each year for the ‘Vintage Island’ festival and the rich, industrial heritage of the area is evident in the re-purposed steel works and factories. It is no coincidence that the owner chose the beautiful Victorian building in Sheffield’s most exciting area for the venture. “This is where you need to be,’ the owner said. “We’re just around the corner from Cutlery Works so hopefully we’ve got a captive audience.” With the vast range of fashionable bars and cafes that have opened in Kelham Island in recent years, the owner is confident that there will be a steady stream of customers passing the centre’s door.
Many local people have already taken an interest in the emporium, with over 1000 people following The Kelham Flea on Instagram, where each picture gives a sneak peek of the store has welcomed by the community. The emporium promises to be a welcome addition to Kelham Island’s thriving cultural scene.
The Kelham Flea will open its doors this Saturday (3 August) and will be open Wednesday to Sunday, 10:30-5pm. For more information on The Kelham Flea, follow their Instagram here.
