By Callum Ludwig
A long-standing local business is set for a change of pace as the old owners step aside after 22 years.
Shane and Karin Franks will be handing over the reins to the Country Gardeners Nursery in Woori Yallock as of Wednesday 27 November.
Mr Franks said by September 2002 they had taken over from a couple who had the nursery for 10 years prior, but he believes a nursery had been there since 1973.
“We came in and there was really nothing here, we’ve built it up over the years to what it is today, we also created the wholesale nursery at the back which we developed probably 10 to 12 years ago, which is a good part of the business as well.,” he said.
“22 years we’ve been here now as it is, business has been fantastic, customers are fantastic, the community is fantastic,”
“We’ve sold it on to some new people who are going to do some new things with it, I’ve got a new manager coming to start as well, so a new young fellow that brings some new life to the place as well and continue it on.”
The new manager is Sam Perkin, who is coming onboard alongside the new owners.
Mr Perkin said he’s very excited by the opportunity to continue Country Gardeners from Shane and Karin.
“It’s very important [to keep the nursery running smoothly], to have it so successful for so long, I think it’s very important we continue what they have done so well for 22 plus years, keep it running smoothly and keep providing good quality plants to the locals,” he said.
Hillcrest CFA also offered to cook up a sausage sizzle on Saturday 23 November to farewell the Franks.
Mr Franks said they are going to ‘take on’ retirement now and live a bit of a quieter life.
“We’ll try and do a little bit of travelling around, see a bit of the world and a bit of Australia but that was really our decision behind it, we’re getting on in years now and it’s time to hand it over to somebody new and get some good new blood into it,” he said.
“We’re just proud of what we’ve achieved here, we’ve got some fantastic customers that keep coming back and just making our lives easier and better and we hope that we make their lives better as well,”
“We did not want this garden centre to leave the community, to be honest with you, we were pretty adamant about that, so we’re pleased that it’s going to continue because we think it’s an important place for this area, there are a few businesses in the area that really need to stay, and I believe that this is one of them.”
Mr Franks also thanked all of the ‘wonderful’ staff they’ve had over the years.
