Southend That's Bizarre closing as owner to retire

Michael Kouspetris opened That’s Bizarre with his late wife Kathy in Queen’s Road, Southend, back in 1971 and has been selling everything from balloons to banners and quirky gifts ever since. 

Now, after decades of success, he is preparing to put his feet up and relax as he enters retirement. 

Michael with his late wife, Kathy (Image: Zoe Kouspetris)
However, the long-established business will stay in the family with Michael’s daughter Zoe continuing to run the sister site in Leigh once the Queen’s Road shop closes. 

Reflecting on his approaching retirement, 78-year-old Michael said: “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.”

He said that although in recent years the gift industry has taken a hit, he still remembers a time when business was booming.

Michael is a balloon specialist (Image: Zoe Kouspetris)
“At our busiest point, there was a particular Saturday in the lead-up to Christmas when we got so busy that I had to stand on the door and manage a queue into the shop,” he said.

“Once they knocked down the car park behind us, our trade dropped by 20 per cent. I don’t think we ever recovered from that.”

Michael initially took over the unit in 1971, when Kathy was a fashion student. 

Michael with daughters, Zoe and Sophie (Image: Zoe Kouspetris) The pair initially opened a clothing boutique named Bubble and Squeak before switching to selling gifts in the 1980s.

Following two decades of success, they expanded and opened a second That’s Bizarre in Broadway, Leigh. 

Zoe, who will continue running the family’s Leigh shop, admitted it feels like the “end of an era” as her dad retires. 

She added: “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.

“People knew my mum and dad like they were local celebrities. After my mum’s passing in 2003, I started working in the shop again alongside my dad, and now he’s closing down I feel like I have big shoes to fill.”

That’s Bizarre’s last day of trading will be Thursday, October 17.