That’s Bizarre, an iconic gift shop in Southend, is closing its doors after 50 years as the owner, Michael Kouspetris, is retiring. Michael, who opened the shop with his late wife Kathy in 1971, has been a staple in the community, providing residents with balloons, banners, and quirky gifts all these years.
As Michael prepares to step into retirement, his daughter Zoe will take over the sister site in Leigh once the Queen’s Road shop shuts down. Reflecting on his decision to retire, 78-year-old Michael expressed a mix of emotions, saying, “I wouldn’t say I’m too upset. It’s a bit of relief that I’ve finally decided, but I think when I walk out of the shop, I’ll have a little tear in my eye.”
Despite the recent challenges in the gift industry, Michael fondly remembers the bustling days of the past when business was booming. He recalled a particularly busy Saturday before Christmas when the shop was so packed that he had to manage a queue outside.
The journey of That’s Bizarre began in 1971 when Michael and Kathy started a clothing boutique named Bubble and Squeak, eventually transitioning to selling gifts in the 1980s. The shop’s success led to the opening of a second branch in Broadway, Leigh, which has been managed by Zoe and will continue to operate.
For Zoe, the closure of the Southend shop marks the end of an era and a sentimental moment as her father steps down from the business. She shared, “Bizarre Southend has always been an iconic part of the town and has meant a lot to our family over the years – it was like a second home growing up there.”
With That’s Bizarre’s last day of trading set for Thursday, October 17, the Southend community will bid farewell to a beloved establishment that has been a significant part of the town’s fabric for half a century. The shop’s closure symbolizes the end of a chapter for the Kouspetris family, but their legacy will live on through the memories and relationships built over the years.