A COLLECTABLE bear created in memory of a long-standing Southend business owner’s wife after her death has sold out within days.
Steve Kohler and his wife Babs spent more than 15 years running the Teddy Station together in Southend’s Victoria Shopping Centre until Babs sadly passed away last April, aged 61.
To mark one year since Babs passed away, Charlie Bears – which creates collectable teddy bears sold around the globe – created a memorial bear in honour of Babs and to celebrate her love of teddies.
A run of the bears was launched over the weekend and sold out almost instantly, Steve has revealed.
Steve, 68, said: “The last year has been so hard. It is so hard losing a partner. But I have been taking each day as it comes.
“We have met the owners of Charlie Bears, Charlotte and William Morris, a few times, and I think both of us, but Babs especially, left quite an impression.
“I went down recently to meet with them, and they said to me they will make a bear in memory of Babs.
“They often name bears after people who have worked there or things like that, but never usually do something like this.
“So, it was launched as a limited production on Saturday, and has since already sold out.”
Babs died just two weeks after going to Southend Hospital because she felt unwell before tests revealed she had pancreatic cancer and had just days to live.
Prior to her death, she was cared for at Havens hospices and Steve visited Fair Havens, in Southend, this week to present them with one of the bears.
Steve added: “The namesake bear was in her favourite colour, which was Cadbury’s purple. Babs also had really long hair, so they made the bow extra long too.
“It was spot on and means a lot. I have got one at home too. It is just amazing.”
Last year Steve signed a new three-year lease to stay at the Victoria Shopping Centre insisting he must keep the shop going “in Babs’ memory”.
Teddy Station sells a range of collectable bears from Steiff teddy bears, to Charlie Bears, and also hand-made teddy bears.
The shop also has “make your own bears” where children can come in choose a bear, create it, make a wish and then a promise before collecting a birth certificate and a bag.
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