Kevin Marshall's Antiques in Florida (1/4) By Robert J Smithson

(1/4), (2/4), (3/4), (4/4).

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I was born in Hull in 1960 on Etherington road, worked on my father's barges on the Humber from 13-18 years old, then worked for my fathers company Trinity Graphic which used to be on Hawthorne Ave, Hessle road, until I set up Trinity Graphic USA in Sarasota Florida in 1988, and moved to a sunny Paradise. This is my story on my association with Kevin, The Antiques Warehouse, and the influence Kevin and his wares have made on me, and my 8000 sq ft home in Florida.

I always had an eye for antiques from an early age, and was delighted to see a painted sign saying Antique Warehouse, as I walked down Wincolmlee, some 30 years ago. As I stalked up the staircase, in anticipation of a find, I was met by a swarthy character with fingerless mittens displaying his professional skills, hand rolling his tobacco-laden cigarette, with a likeable smile. This was my introduction to Kevin Marshall.

I think he convinced me to buy something, I am sure he remembers better than I; after knowing Kev for so many years now, he never forgets anything he has ever sold from his antique business. We became great friends and at one point we went into a not for profit business, called Touchwood Antiques, which we together ran from my parents garage on Marlborough Avenue, until they moved across the river to Barrow, which made it too expensive to transport the stuff, due to the bridge tolls we had to endure.

Somewhere around 1987 Kevin decided to move to Holderness Road, and with me having a full time job at my dads company I decided to bow out from the partnership as I couldn't dedicate time and felt guilty. In February of 1988 my dad asked me if I wanted to go set up a company in the USA, and as a result of the sub zero temperatures Hull was enduring it was a split second decision - Hull or Sunny Florida.

Continued .... Next Page (2/4)

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