Elaine Eyb from Pete’s Country Cuts is calling it a day while Dick Jenkin from Williams Valley Pharmacy has sold the building and business to spend more time at home on the farm.

Elaine and her husband Merv bought their building on July 4, 1994, and their son Peter was the butcher.

“I’m the only starter who has lasted this long,” Elaine joked.

“But nothing will change when I finish up, the staff will still provide good old-fashioned service and continue our good customer relations which we started nearly 21 years ago.

“We may not have as many customers as we did back then, but everything will continue as normal.

“We are still partners in the business but Peter’s wife Michelle will be the face behind the counter, not me.”

Elaine said age is catching up with her and she is looking forward to some time for herself.

“It’s been long but not overly hard,” she said.

“I was originally working five and a half days a week but the last few years I was having two days off in the middle of the week when Michelle would work.

“But I will certainly miss the place but hope to come back and say hi occasionally.”

Pursuing his passion

Dick Jenkin bought the pharmacy building and business from John Hughes on June 1, 1990.

He and his wife Lynn were living in Canberra and they were looking for life in the country.

“I liked the area and we found a place where we could have our horses,” he said.

“John was here 18 years prior and I’ve been here nearly 25 years but now it’s time to do something else.

“I am going to focus more on our horses and experiment more with breeding.

“Lynn’s business has taken off and she is away a lot so I would like be at home more on the property.

“I also have a keen interest in nature photography so I would like to do more courses, trips and perhaps sell my photos.

“I really want to pursue my passion and see where it leads me.”

Three pharmacists from Melbourne have bought the business and a new pharmacist will be starting on Monday.