Ready for fruitful new era
THE closing of a chapter is nearing after the owners of Woree’s IGA decided to sell up and take off around Australia.
Terry and Sue Casey, both 72, deliberated over the decision for about two years before finally agreeing to relinquish the Toogood Rd business which has been part of their lives for 26 years.
“We’re now past the age of retirement,” Mr Casey said.
“If we were 10 to 15 years younger we wouldn’t even think of selling.
“The business has been very good to us to the point we purchased the strata title of the building and paid off a house.
“Time has crept up on Sue and myself and all our friends have retired and they’re all tripping around Australia and say, ‘why aren’t you buggers here with us?’.”
Originally one of eight Big Tomato stores in North Queensland, Mr Casey served on the management board of both Big Tomato and later IGA, when the couple chose to join the emerging independent brand.
“I was invited to go on the Queensland state board as a retailer and I was on the national board for quite some years as well,” Mr Casey said.
“My youngest son Jake has purchased southside IGA, and I would like to see him get a hold of Woree, but our oldest son has shown no interest in the business.
“Without selling it we don’t have the money to retire.
“The person who comes into buy it can apply to become an IGA retailer or do their own thing. The IGA banner seems to be the biggest independent banner. It’s quite a nice shop, it does very well and has a good turnover per year.”
LJ Hooker Edge Hill agent Ross Moller will manage the sale of the property.
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