The business originated from a love of vintage Science Fiction novels (enhanced when I was a member of the Murdoch Alternative Reality Society aka M.A.R.S. – special thanks to Karl and Grant ) and a life lived surrounded by retro and secondhand wares.
Note: For more info on M.A.R.S. see their event forum
Retrorocket was setup through the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) and original plan was to sell second hand books especially Science Fiction and retro wares. This was how Retrorocket got its name: retro [wares] counter balanced by an allusion to science [and science fiction] hence retro-rocket.
In the early days Retrorocket was an online business branching out later with a small weekly market stall at Balga Friday markets, followed by a bigger three days a week market stall at Wanneroo markets and a big move to a small Bricks and Mortar (B&M) shop in Walter rd Dianella for five years (and we also attended great markets like Golden Days vintage markets then) .
After the B&M shop, Retrorocket moved back to the suburbs and became a primarily online venture again, with a residential stockroom and much more focus on website content i.e. books.
Whilst writing this I revisited articles I wrote in late 2010 (for a blog) on setting up a market stall and having a solely online business vs. Bricks and Mortar shop. Those ideas still ring true: without all the skills I gained from my work for past organisations within great teams (skills to pay the bills), what I learnt at Murdoch University and T.A.F.E. and the support / advice given freely by friends, colleagues and family as well as what I learnt on-the-job, Retrorocket would not still be a going concern.
Special thanks to all my friends / customers and sellers [past and present] who support the business and especially to my family who help me maintain Retrorocket and listen to me : )
Kylie June 2023
Related articles
Weekend Notes 2019 Retrorocket’s homeshop Girrawheen W.A. (open)
Weekend Notes 2014 Retrorocket’s Dianella B&M shop (now closed)