Queen – the king of business hot spots

Queen Street in Kensington is known as an attractive area that is home to antique and cottage furniture shops, small businesses, authentic coffee shops and restaurants.

The EXPRESS visited some of the furniture shop owners to find out why they believe Queen Street is the king of business hot spots.

Granny’s Attic at 173 Queen Street is owned by Jackie Gerber, who told the EXPRESS she bought the building as an investment 20 years ago.

“It was a residential home and business rights had to be obtained from council in order for it to be a retail outlet. The premises were rented out to various outlets. In 2008, I was retrenched from the cosmetics industry and I decided to follow my passion,” she said.

Coming from a sales background, Jackie always enjoyed buying and selling.

“We upcycle and recycle. We do fabric upholstery and paint techniques. We also manufacture offsite origin furniture from reclaimed floorboards that are taken out of homes in Kensington and surrounding areas when they get renovated.

“I currently have four employees who help me. At the moment the trend is for smaller items as a lot of our customers are from the Maboneng precinct and the apartments are limited in space,” she says.

Barter Buy Antiques is owned by Christopher Martin.

The business has been operating for 26 years.

“We sell antiques and do upholstery. We also have a coffee shop on the premises,” said Martin.

Martin said Barter Buy Antiques was one of the first business to operate on Queens Street.

“I chose to open my business on Queen as it is central in Johannesburg. I have 25 employees,” he said.

Barter Buy Antiques is situated at 167 Queen Street.