The family venture will continue with Janice’s daughter Evette Terras, but for Mandy, she now has time to spend on all those things she’s neglected at home over the past 30 years.

Mandy’s decision to retire was mainly based on timing; the arrival of her first grandchild coinciding with Evette’s interest in being a part of the family business.

“I hadn’t put a lot of thought into retirement and what I would do if I left,” Mandy said.

“It’s such a part of you after 30 years.”

She will, however, manage to fill her time by helping her husband, Jim on their cattle farm, visiting her three children who live in various parts of the State and finishing all those chores around the house she just hasn’t gotten to over the years.

What started out as a business venture to supplement her income when she had a young family, ended up being a huge part of her life.

“The Gloucester community is like our large extended family,” Mandy explained.

“I’ve watched the cycle of families - children becoming adults, getting married and having children of their own.”

But it’s not just the personal relationships with the community that Mandy has developed over the years, but also a relationship with the business community through her involvement with the Gloucester Business Chamber.

“I think if you’re in business you have an obligation to be involved with the chamber,” she said.

“You want to see the community grow and you want to help bring people into the community.”

Mandy plans to remain involved and support the chamber, as the community is still very important to her.

She’ll miss the day to day interactions within the store.

“It was a really good work environment,” she said.

Mandy has a very close relationship with her sister, so she will continue to pop into the shop for morning tea and the pair will carry on with their daily phone conversations.