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Junee's Longest-Serving Hardware Store Owners Retire After Nearly 60 Years

From ABC Australia · (3h ago) English Positive tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • After nearly six decades of ownership, 90-year-old Margaret and 95-year-old Peter Pickles are retiring from their hardware store, Broadway Builders Supplies, in Junee, NSW.
  • The couple, married for 71 years, opened the town's only hardware store in 1967 and navigated numerous challenges, including a major fire and the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Their retirement marks the end of an era for the community, with the store having been a central part of Junee's fabric for generations.

In the heart of Junee, a charming country town in southern NSW known for its rich railway heritage and preserved 19th-century architecture, a significant chapter is closing. Broadway Builders Supplies, the town's sole hardware store, is changing hands as its beloved owners, Margaret and Peter Pickles, aged 90 and 95 respectively, embark on their well-deserved retirement.

We've seen a lot of water under the bridge in that time.

— Peter PicklesReflecting on the nearly 60 years of running the hardware store.

For nearly 60 years, this unassuming building on Broadway has been more than just a store; it's been a cornerstone of the community, operated by a couple whose dedication is as enduring as their 71-year marriage. They opened the doors in 1967, witnessing decades of change and weathering storms that would have tested the resolve of any business. From the devastating 2006 bushfire that ravaged the region to the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pickles and their store have shown remarkable resilience.

You just keep pushing on, I think; what can you do?

— Peter PicklesOn navigating the challenges faced by the business over the decades.

Mr. Pickles, who started as a builder constructing 350 homes in Junee, transitioned to running the hardware store with Margaret, who he describes as a "hell of a worker." Their commitment extended beyond commerce, with the store maintaining the tradition of a daily "smoko" at 10 am, offering tea and homemade baked goods – a ritual that has become a cherished part of the store's identity and a symbol of its warm, community-focused approach.

I heard Margaret telling customers she was going to retire at 90, and I thought, 'How could I do it without her?' So I put it [the hardware business] on the market.

— Peter PicklesExplaining his decision to retire alongside his wife.

The retirement of Margaret and Peter is not just the end of a business; it's the closing of a significant era for Junee. Their son-in-law, Alan Potty, aptly noted that most residents likely have a piece of equipment from the shop in their homes. More importantly, the Pickles themselves have left an indelible mark on the tight-knit community, having also taught ballroom dancing to local school children. Their legacy is woven into the very fabric of Junee, a testament to a life of hard work, community spirit, and enduring partnership.

She was always here and she's a hell of a worker, you never see her standing around so I appreciated that over the years, I assure you.

— Peter PicklesPraising his wife Margaret's dedication to the business.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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