In what felt like one fell swoop, 13 jobs and a family’s legacy disappeared from Gloucester when the owners of Garners Home and Hardwares made the heart-wrenching decision to shut its doors last Saturday. With Westpac scheduled to shut in September regardless, three of those job losses were already anticipated. But with the banking branch housed in the Garners building its demise came earlier than expected.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
As the word spread, customers to both businesses came in for some last minute business. The rare sight of flowers and champagne adorning banking desks was a grateful sight for the three Westpac women to whom they were given. On the shop floor, manager Jane Deen (nee Garner) was busy serving a steady stream of customers but her and brother Mark’s sense of regret was palpable.
No doubt there are many memories amongst Gloucester’s residents of time spent in the building, as the Garners have run retail in various forms out of there since 1926. Prior to Garners Home and Hardwares, Garners IGA used to reside in the space. What had begun as a small grocery outlet owned by Henry Harris in 1926 had been purchased by Ellen Garner, the grandmother of the current proprietor, Innes Garner. The latter Garner later turned it into an IGA until 2013, when the supermarket closed down. The family expanded their Home and Hardware business into the vacated space and it became a one-stop shop for building supplies, its iconic blue colour not missed at the entrance to town.
“They have been long standing chamber members and have helped the community in many ways, supporting events and other things. We’re trying to promote Gloucester as a great town to live and work in and it’s just a sad outcome that a longstanding family business has had to close,” Yvonne Reynolds, Gloucester Business Chamber’s president said, admitting surprise at the decision.
“I wish the Garner family all the best,” she said.
The business’ closure leaves Yates and Twomey as the sole outlet for hardware supplies in Gloucester. Westpac customers can receive assistance at Gloucester’s Post Office on Queen Street.