Babs and Steve Kohler – Teddy Bear TV
Teddy bear fanatics, Babs and Steve Kohler, have launched their own Teddy Bear TV channel to talk all things teddies as their high street shop is closed again due to lock-down.
The couple, who live in Southend-on-Sea are using lock-down to talk teddies to collectors and enthusiasts globally and also to host interviews including showcasing the collections of some of their customers.
Filmed from their shop Teddy Station in The Victoria Shopping Centre, Chartwell Square, Southend on Sea in Essex, they’ve been unboxing new teddies on delivery days, telling teddy stories and also running teddy bingo games where members can get a Bearhouse Bingo card and win Hug vouchers to spend in store and on online purchases.
Steve said: “Lock-down has forced us as business owners of a retail shop to get with the online programme – and it’s been really fun. We know that there are collectors of bears all over the world and since we’ve been running our little TV station we cannot believe the interest we’re getting.
“Using our shop as a studio, we can show our latest bears including our six foot polar bear called Ursa Major, and introduce viewers to these little cuddly characters in the fur. We’ve also enjoyed sharing collectors’ stories with our audience.”
Steve, 64 and Babs, 59 have been running their shop for the last 12 years. Prior to that they sold gadgets and new inventions, until they saw a bear-making stuffing machine at a trade show in Birmingham.
Having always collected teddies over the years and with their previous experience in entertainment they originally opened as a ‘make your bear’ shop and hosting children’s parties.
This soon changed as more and more customers were asking about the collectable teddies.
Within two years glass cabinets replaced the party area and the Steiff Club shop status awarded (which is very rare).
For the past seven years they have been among the top ten retailers of collectable bears in the UK for Steiff and Charlie Bears.
They also sell more affordable pieces like Swarovski bears, Disney characters and huggable teddies of all sizes.
To find out more about Teddy Station visit: https://www.teddystation.co.uk