Well-known couple back in business
A WARWICK business owner who thought he’d lost everything is ready to carve out a new future with the surprising return of two iconic businesses.
When Neil Parfitt walked out of Rose City Shoppingworld in July, he was bankrupt, devastated and uncertain of what his future would hold.
In the months that followed the sudden closure of Rose City Carvery, Mr Parfitt was forced to go on Centrelink benefits for the first time in his life, experienced bouts of depression and tried to support his wife through the traumatic loss of their business.
Having operated multiple business in Warwick, Mr and Mrs Parfitt are well-known businesspeople in the town.
Surrounded by salvaged equipment from their takeaway business and thousands of dollars in debt, the pair was considering options when an opportunity arose.
Carvery customers George and Patricia Alldridge were thrilled to offer Mr Parfitt the Glennie Heights corner store when they heard the business was seeking to make a return.
“Things are meant to happen for a reason and we had to jump at it when they offered up the shop,” he said.
Since reaching an agreement over the building, all hands have been on deck to transform the vacant shop into a new establishment that will mark the return of not one, but two iconic businesses.
Former corner store owner Richard Thew is thrilled the shop is reopening after it closed four years ago.
Mr Parfitt said getting back in the game would not have been possible without the “phenomenal” support from the community.
“If it wasn’t for friends and family, we could not have done this,” he said.