SATURDAY will mark the end of an era for a Wagga institution, with Thorne Street Store owner Pat Stewart selling up and moving on after nearly 30 years at the shop.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Advertiser understands the store will be closed for around three months as its new owners undertake a refurbishment.
"Saturday afternoon, when we close the doors, that's going to be it," Ms Stewart said.
"It'll be no more."
In her time at the helm of the Thorne Street Store, Ms Stewart has seen children grow up, and then bring their own kids into the store.
She said watching that happen had been one of her most rewarding experiences at the store.
"Some of them might have shifted away, but if they come back home for a few days, they'll come down here, bring their kids in and say, 'look, this is where I used to buy my lollies'," she said.
Ms Stewart has decided to move on in order to free up time to see her family more and travel around Australia while she still has a chance.
Since Christmas she has worked 12-hour days, six days a week, after her only staff member left Wagga.
"I've worked all my life so I want to get out and see a bit of the country," she said.
"Being able to do things like spend some time with your family, I miss that."
For closing day on Saturday, Ms Stewart is planning to have a barbecue out the front of the store to say farewell to her legion of loyal customers.
