Historic shop celebrates
PAPER PLUS Matamata owners Graeme and Kate Guilford still get mail addressed to Barry and Hastings. Even after 20 years of owning the business, they also get the odd phone call asking for Mr Charlie Barry too! April marks 20 years of ownership of one of Matamata’s oldest businesses for Graeme and Kate, and they are proud to be part of the proud 93-year history of Barry and Hastings.
At the end of 1992, Graeme and Kate were dairy farming on 170 acres in Roto-o-Rangi on the outskirts of Cambridge while bringing up their five daughters Justine, Gemma, Sarah, Cleo and Felicity.
Prior to moving to Cambridge, they had owned a farm just south of New Plymouth.
Graeme had been milking cows since before he started school and self- confessed city slicker Kate admitted she thoroughly enjoyed the role too.
At the end of 1992, they both felt and decided the time had come to do something different.
The couple made the decision to sell their farm and fate took its course.
‘‘We didn’t anticipate our daughters wanting a career in dairy farming,’’ Kate said.
‘‘It felt like the time had come for a change.’’ Kate had her heart set on starting a shoe shop in Te Awamutu but reading the businesses for sale section of the newspaper changed all that.
‘‘I was looking at the New Zealand Herald in the businesses for sale section and this little ad just popped out,’’ Kate said.
‘‘The thing that stuck out for us was business for sale in a thriving Waikato town.’’
The Guilfords made enquiries and within days had visited the busy store on Broadway and made the decision to purchase Barry and Hastings Paper Plus from Paul Blackwell.
It has been a real family affair when it comes to the operation of their business.
All of the Guilford girls have worked in the shop.
For a number of years Graeme and Kate’s eldest daughter Justine was the shop manager on Saturdays.
‘‘It was important for our girls to be involved. It has made them understand how to run a business,’’