‘It’s not the end’: Antique dealer set to shut store
A Bath man whose dying wish was to start his own business after learning he had cancer says he has no regrets, after living 20 years longer than he thought he would. David Rolfe, 65, was diagnosed Hodgkin lymphoma in 1995 and in his own words the prognosis ‘was not brilliant.’ Believing he may be living on borrowed time, Mr Rolfe did something he had wanted to do for a very long time. Within two years, the former DJ had set up an antique shop called Rolfey’s, in Wellsway. He said: “I have always been interested in antiques, collecting things and ‘junk’ and I wanted to end my days in an antique shop. “I did not think I had much time left after contracting cancer. I have lived for about 20 years longer than I thought I would. “When we first opened in 1997, I received two letters from local residents who were not too happy about the antique shop opening. “The letters said how this street was not the right street for my business and that it did not need a ‘junk shop’ - this made me more determined to succeed.” Hodgkin lymphoma is an uncommon cancer that develops in the lymphatic system. After a painful few years of various types of treatments, Mr Rolfe eventually fought off the life-threatening condition. His hospital appointments changed from monthly to quarterly, to bi-annually and then to once a year. Just more than a year ago, Mr Rolfe stopped going to the hospital altogether.
He said: “You never know if it is completely gone, but leaving the hospital for my last bit of treatment around 20 years after I was diagnosed with it was a good and surreal feeling.” As the years went by, Mr Rolfe slowly but surely learned more and more about the antiques trade and the shop grew in terms of its success. Mr Rolfe said: “I remember getting started over two decades ago and I really got into it and thought, ‘this is for me.’ I have never looked back. “We have owned antiques from kings, queens and paupers too. It has been a remarkable 21 years and a bit years. “I could never have imagined that we would grow into being what we have become.” Unfortunately, Mr Rolfe’s adventure is now drawing to a close but not due to ill health. Last month he announced that Rolfey’s would shut for good on January 26, to the lament of many on social media. He said: “The reaction from people has been pretty overwhelming. I am very grateful for it. To tell you the truth it has been like witnessing your own funeral. “It has been a very strange experience. People saying nice things about you all the time. “It is odd but nice. This is not the end for me, I want to carry on.”