The salt of the city

Twenty nine years ago, Richard Monk’s employer went bust. Being a surfer at heart, Rich saw no other option than to take over the surf shop in the Exeter arcade. Three years later, he opened a shop at 134 Fore street with a companion in street clothes. Rich brought in the salt, his partner the city, and ‘Saltcity’ was born. Local reporter Karin Venema went to see the local surf entrepreneur, who has taken many blows over the years but bounces back each time. 

For the first fifteen years, business went well for Richard who was full of youthful vigour. His business partner left and Rich brought in a ladies’ collection. The surf boards, wetsuits, clothes and accessories were flying off the shelves. Suppliers and lending companies were generous with credit, so Saltcity could keep up with the demand. But in 2008, the financial crisis hit and Saltcity got into trouble. “I am a surfer, not a business man,” Rich smiles from behind his counter. “I was in serious debt and the sales were down massively, so I ended putting my VAT bill on credit cards. I was working really hard, but in January 2017 I felt I had gone back as far as I could. I put my well-loved Salty van up for sale on Facebook.” 

Amazing support  

Then, something amazing happened. Richard Monk is a friendly guy who wears his heart on his sleeve. Over the years, he has made a lot of friends. Without his knowledge, a crowdfunding site was set up and within a month they successfully raised £5,673. Furthermore, they created him a web shop. “The support was overwhelming”, Rich remembers. “People popped into the shop, I was all over the local media and gathered more than 4,000 Facebook followers who also care for Saltcity. I was extremely touched by the love and generosity.” Rich got to keep his van, and Saltcity ploughed on. 

This year, Rich was struggling with personal issues and found himself wondering about the future of Saltcity once more. Again, the support of the community has seen him through. This time, ‎Brian Phillips‎, fellow Exeter independent trader has come to the rescue. He has offered Rich the opportunity to host a party at the Move / Bierkeller and Rich gets to keep the door money. “I'm blown away by the support that so many have shown me, and with this massive generous gesture from Brian, I'm truly lost for words, and that doesn't happen often”, says an emotional Rich.  

Saltcity around the world 

On the shop wall hangs a world map with lots of yellow pins in it. This was created when people started to send Rich photos of the Saltcity logo in different places. A Saltcity plastic bag in Mexico, a t-shirt in Cyprus, a cap in Niagara Falls, Saltcity is represented worldwide. Rich continues: “Once I had a lovely elderly couple in, and the wife said. "Is that all your other stores?" As she stared at my map. I did chuckle, I then told them a little story. And how they chuckled.” 

Rich is not in it for the money. “If someone doesn’t need a surfboard, I won’t sell him one,” he smiles. “I just love it that a guy who got his first surfboard here at ten, now comes back with his own ten-year old to buy him a surfboard. I might be poor in the wallet, but I am rich in the heart. And what else would I do? I love surfing, and I love people”.  

The meaning of ‘salt of the earth’ is a person of great kindness, reliability and honesty. We can safely say that Richard Monk is amongst the salt of Exeter city. Let us hope that the fundraiser party is a success and that Saltcity has many more good years in Fore street.