NameChristopher, PatriciaOccupationShop Keeper.BiographyAbout forty years ago Norma Meurant and I took over the lease of the ‘Corner Shop’ – what a challenging and interesting few years we had ahead of us, no experience just a determination to succeed.
The shop is still on the corner of Calderwood Road and Tongarra Road. Our day commenced at 8.00am and finished at 6.30pm, seven days a week. We took it in turns to go back after hours and clean fridges and floors.
The support we received from local clubs and schools was excellent, the Albion Park Bowling Club, RSL, St. Paul’s and the Albion Park Primary School were always supportive.
In time, we carried a large supply of continental meats as many European families lived in the area. We also carried fresh fruit and vegetables that were purchased in Wollongong.
Max Griffin was the ‘Milko’, a well-known local identity. The bread was delivered by Eureka Bakery located at Oak Flats, and Davis and Penny, a good firm to do business with, delivered the weekly grocery order. We picked up the eggs from Orange’s Poultry Farm and butter from the Illawarra Cooperative Central Dairy Factory.
This experience was a wonderful lesson in human relations, so many struggling young families. We gave fortnightly credit, and when we finally said ‘goodbye’ to our customers no one owed us a penny.
The ‘shop’ was popular with children and teenagers, as we made milk shakes and thick shakes, oh my goodness some of the smaller ones could take forever to spend five pennies.
Cakes were also sold. One day a child purchased fairy cakes and later brought them back and said his mum did not want them; the dear child had eaten all the cream from the middle.
Another day a Dutch lady purchased kitty litter and brought it back later saying her cat would not eat the purchase, so we explained the difference between kitty litter and cat food.
One customer purchased under arm spray, (she was going to the ball at the Centenary Hall that night); a most upset lady used the spray on her new hair set with awful results.
Once a week we delivered groceries to two families out at Marshall Mount. Orders were taken from catalogues during the year for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Christmas; these were delivered when the time arrived.
Easter was an exciting time for children as they looked at the displays and pleaded for their parent to ‘please buy that egg’.
The shop has left me with many memories, some sad, some happy, and a deep respect for how hard those young families worked in those days for every day items that are now taken for granted.
The loyalty was wonderful and there are still many folk in Albion Park I call dear friends.
Pat Christopher 2005.