Bookshop shuffle with change of owners

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 1, 3 June 1987, Page 3

Bookshop shuffle with change of owners

Ohakune's Kapai Books and Toy Shop is soon to undergo a transformation and a change of ownership. Former owner Ken George relinquished the business to Bob and Eileen Hammond on 1 June and the shop officially opened for business under new ownership yesterday. Mr and Mrs Hammond, formerly of 'Ruapehu' farms on Raetihi Road, were forced to sell their dairy herd of Holstein-Freisian heifers earlier this year after the milk collection by the Palmerston North milk processing factory stopped. The Hammonds decided to take on the business "for a change of scenery" after selling their herd in April. The couple had cows for 18 years and are now running bulls on their 40 acres of land - all that is remains from the original 140 acres. They say the break from farming to managing a bookshop is a big change, especially for Bob who has been involved in farming and milking cows all his working life. Mr and Mrs Hammond have big plans for the business, soon to be

renamed 'Hammond's Books, Toys and Stationery'. These plans include extensive renovations after the winter season. An immediate change will be to extend stock lines. The bookshop hours will remain the same apart from possible extended trading hours during weekends. The Hammonds said they have been received well by the general public and say "so far, so good". Bob and Eileen who are equal

partners in the business, said there is a lot for them to learn over the next few months and they are hoping for "very patient customers". Former owner Ken George, who took over the business from Colin Pedley in 1981, will be brushing the dust off his golf clubs and taking up squash during his temporary 'retirement'. Mr George, who is the Wanganui representative rugby selector and

provincial rugby coa said he will ue concentratmg on tne upcoming rep. programme and won't be taking on any other business until after the rugby season. Mr George said he is available for coaching at primary and secondary school level in the meantime. Mr George has lived in the area all his life apart from five years when he lived in Feilding. He held the position of senior lines foreman with both the Feilding and Ohakune Post Offices for about 17 years and had his own cleaning business for 19 months before managing the bookshop. Mr George said he would not have managed the business for as long as he had if he hadn't had the help of family members. His daughters Maxine and Kerren helped considerably in the running of the business.