New leaf for book shop story

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 587, 23 May 1995, Page 10

New leaf for book shop story

Ohakune' s new book shop proprietors Frank Broadbent and Carol Dockley come from Kerikeri with backgrounds in real estate and retailing. The independent family business, Broadbent Real Estate, is the new owner of Berry's Bookshop and Frank and Carol will run the store. They take over tomorrow, Wednesday 24 May. The Broadbent family has been in the real estate business in the north for 30 years and Frank plans to offer a local service in the Waimarino once they are up and running in the shop. Frank said the main reason for their move was that they are small town people and that they had seen Kerikeri grow from a little village to quite a large town. Both are keen to get involved in the community, and in fact Carol has already volunteered herself as an inspector for the RSPCA, transferring her skills from the north. Frank has been involved in the community in Kerikeri in a number of ways, mainly with the fire brigade (for 22 years). Carol has worked in retailing extensively, at one stage or another in all areas that Berry's now operate in apart from Lotto, for which they had to undergo quite rigorous evaluation including a five-day course to take on. "It's a big exercise to take over a Lotto franchise," said Frank, "a very involved process." All current staff are staying on — "we're happy to have them, they are a big asset to the business", they said. Peter & Margaret Berry Peter and Margaret Berry finish almost seven years in the Ohakune book shop, having bought it off Bob and Eileen Hammond, and they say they' ve loved it. Peter' s laughter , which could be heard

from far along the street, will be missed from the town. "That laugh has helped us to be known as a happy shop," said Margaret. "We've loved every minute of retailing in the town. Ohakune people gave us a wonderful welcome and they have become our friends and loyal customers." In those years they expanded the business in all sorts of directions, starting with Lotto six months after their purchase. "That's been successful in that it brings people into the shop," said Margaret. Peter adds that they ran a book shop with a lotto service, not a Lotto shop with books. They were awarded top retailer of the year for the Central North Island in 1990 and in 1991 were placed third in New Zealand. Staff have also received awards for their service; their window displays have been very well received and the shop won an award for innovative marketing from Mainstreet. They extended the shop and refurbished it, added jewellery, souvenirs, gift ware, and bicycles to name a few. Margaret recalls how they experimented with gift ware, when she bought some brass ware at a sale at Victoria Market in Auckland and put it on a table at the front of the shop to see how it would go, and the whole lot was sold in half a day. The gift ware now includes high quality glassware, crystal and china. Having been told souvenirs were not worth trying, they found that it has become quite successful. From hardly any local postcards being available, they now have cards showing about 50 different scenes from the Ruapehu area. This came about after they ran a local

competition to gather suitable photographs. Bicycles have been a winner too, and Berry's along with them. They sold more than 70 between November and April this year, leading to gifts from the suppliers including a cordless phone and television. Services they have introduced include a public fax, full photocopying service including colour, and laminating. In 1992theyintroducedBerry'sBusiness Supplies whereby their representative Janet Freemantle catered to the needs of offices from National Park to Waiouru. Watch repairs is another area that they delved into with success. Mrs Berry recalls seeing Peter using the tiniest

screwdri ver on a piece, then some hours later seeing him under a tractor on their farm with the largest of spanners. Their plans for the future so far include an extended holiday around the North Island, then to come home and evaluate their future options. "Whatever we do, you can be sure we will be busy," said Mrs Berry. Farewelled The Berry' s were farewelled at a surprise function at Turoa Lodge on Saturday night, organised by Maxina Ormond, Honey Winter and Rose Martin, Berry's Bookshop staff. About 80 people greeted the couple as they arrived at what they thought was to be a staff dinner.

Following the Berry's arrival was dinner and speeches from Bob Norling, Gladys Goldfinch, Mathew Mareikura, Maxina Ormond and Honey Winter. All the speakers talked of the couple' s Christian background and how their Christianity had shone through into their shop and their daily lives. Footnote: Robert and Marie Milne and the staff of the Ruapehu Bulletin wish Peter and Margaret all the best for their future and thank them for supporting the Bulletin so much, as an advertising customer, as a supplier, as supporters of the community and the activities that the Bulletin reports on, as friends, and as subjects for the occasional 'Gossip Column"! Good luck to you both!