Owner of record shop in Lochgelly reflects on first year

David Hopkins, a man of music and sound engineer by trade, opened Emperor's Attic in 2022 after taking a leap of faith.

The Times told you in March last year that David was unemployed and searching for answers when he decided to take on the challenge of owning his own store.

Reflecting on the past year, he said the job has had its challenges but it has made him feel nostalgic for his youth.

He told the Times: "My life has changed 100 percent.

"I actually feel like an enthusiastic teenager again with my passion back for music, clothing and art.

"I just feel sorry at times for customers seeing a hyper 46-year-old blasting music and waving clothes about.

"It's been very encouraging and probably more of a success than I could have expected mainly because of the support of people locally.

"It probably seems a bit mad a shop like you would see in places like Brighton on Lochgelly Main Street, but my idea of a local shop offering stuff you would normally have to visit a city for or buy online seems to be what folk have missed.

"Customers are what makes the shop.

"I've always thought of my store like a football club and the customers as fans and my helpers and suppliers as players.

"Whether it be old school pals, school kids, people from outside Lochgelly, or even Fife, I really appreciate the support.

"I was presented with a parliamentary motion by Scottish Parliament after my front page (in the Central Fife Times) by Annabelle Ewing as everyone is welcome even if just for a chat.

"That's how retail should be. Modern major retail always boasts customer service but in reality the service you get most of the time is still target-driven which means any interaction is a bit false. I'm just happy to see folk and chat - I do like to chat!"

Owning the shop has not been without its challenges, as David continued: "The biggest challenge has definitely been the cost of living crisis.

"Having to juggle daily takings in the winter months versus heating both my shop and my house was something that wasn't considered, but being able to see now a year on paper and the fact I've now added DJ lessons in the evening to Emperors Attic's offering hopefully will make this winter easier."

As well as running the shop on a day-to-day basis, David has also branched out into running local DJ nights, with another night of live entertainment coming up at Torley's Bar in Lochgelly.

Rockore fan favourites QFX will play at 8pm on Friday, June 30, and will be supported by Mike Jay Ellis and DJ fusion.

David said: "I decided early on to try and promote and integrate myself with other local businesses.

"My first venture was a few DJ nights at The West End Bar on Friday nights once a month which also included me bringing a good friend of mine Tom Hingley, from 90s Band Inspiral Carpets.

"He played an amazing solo set and stayed with me and my dog afterwards which is mad considering they were one of my bands as a 12-year-old kid; we became friends when I supported him on my 30th birthday and he took me for a curry.

"Unfortunately because the pub doesn't have a function room we couldn't sell tickets so it became more of a publicity gig than something to bolster Emperors Attic as a business.

"The QFX gig is much the same story. I've known Kirk from the band since I was 16.

"First as a young DJ/producer and then from 1998 as a customer of Soundcontrol Modern Music stores.

"I used to supply him with equipment.

"I approached Torley's with the idea of using the function room with them also funding the booking and helping with the promotion and tickets.

"Torley's were amazing and really got on board 110 percent and I must thank them for that.

"Tickets went on sale online on May 8 almost sold-out in 24 hrs including special £50 VIP packages.

"There is limited standard tickets available."

Visit Torley's Bar on Facebook for ticket information.