Philip and Helen Higgins, right, were speechless when fellow East Enders dropped in with a farewell gift. From left: Maxine Maddock, Maria Colaneri, Peder Holton, Kylie Rowe and Kersten and Scott Gentle.By Kath Gannaway
A CLOCK was the perfect gift for East End retirees-to-be Philip and Helen Higgins.
The couple, who have been part of Healesville’s East End business scene for the best part of 40 years, closed Higgins Stationers last week, but not before some of neighbouring business operators presented them with a parting gift.
“We’re looking forward to getting a life,” Helen said. “We’ve been totally involved with the shop and now we will have the time to do all the things everybody has been telling us all these years that they do.”
Philip’s mother Sadie started the business. A popular identity, Sadie was working for the main street newsagent Arthur Dawes when the milk bar which distributed their newspapers at the East End burnt down.
“They weren’t in a hurry to rebuild the shop so Arthur asked Sadie to run the business there,” Helen said.
Eventually Sadie bought the business, and with Philip and Helen they built the new, existing shop.
That was 33 years ago. When Sadie retired from the business, the Philip and Helen carried on the tradition.
The strip has changed quite dramatically over the years.
“When we were first here we had a butcher, baker and a greengrocers,” Philip said. “It’s changed from being a retail centre to more of a commercial area.”
While their customers have left them in no doubt they will miss not only the business but Philip and Helen themselves, the couple says they have no sense of sadness to be moving on – the time has come.
They have raised their two children, Keith and Sandra, while running the business, made many good friends and have had the opportunity to help a lot of people.
Many times that help has simply been by providing what they say is the key to job satisfaction – good service.
“Nothing has been a trouble to us, that’s just how we have been,” Helen added.
As keen gardeners, Helen and Philip have loved the opportunity to share their knowledge, giving garden advice and sharing vegetables and fruit from home with their favourite customers.
Lots of flowers, a rose to plant at home and many cards and personal ‘thank yous’ have left Philip and Helen with a wonderful parting memory of four decades of life as East Enders.
“It’s been so unexpected, but we are really very thankful that people have appreciated what we’ve been able to do,” Helen said.
