After nearly two decades Phil and Pam Farley are ready to hand over the keys to their beloved Minlaton Discounters.

The store started off small and has grown to be a one-stop shop for just about everything you can think of from household items to camping, fishing and much more.

“We have been in the shop for 19 years and we started off as a lifestyle business,” Phil said.

“It has grown to the stage where we get customers from all over Australia on a regular basis because they come and see us on their holidays.

“We buy goods from Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and we used to buy four items at a time now we buy cartons and double cartons.”

Phil said the time is right to slow down.

“We are ready to retire, we are both 67, so its time to hand the business over to someone else,” he said.

“We aren’t leaving Minlaton, we want to retire and travel but we also have another business.

“I was down the beach one day, I wanted to have a sleep but it was too hot and the thermal blanket grew from that.

“Club Campers in Sydney took one to the Birdsville Bash and we are now their major supplier for all their thermal blankets.

“It’s something we can do from home and it will give us more time to be semi-retired and travel when we want to.”

The couple said they have no intentions of moving and love living in Minlaton.

“We have met so many new people in the store, they keep coming back all the time especially tourists which is really great,” Pam said.

“We like it here; we have made some wonderful friends so there is no need for us to leave.”

Phil and Pam’s new venture

WHILE Phil and Pam Farley intend to slow down, they will keep busy with their Camper Trailer Thermal BlanketTM venture.

The blanket, designed by Phil, will cover most camper trailers and caravan awnings.

The lightweight, easy to use and easy to store Camper Trailer Thermal BlanketTM reflects the heat and drops the inside temperature by up to 20 per cent while helping to retain the warmth in winter.

The blanket is not only for camper trailers or caravans but can be custom made and used on tents, gazebos, beach shades and shelters.

Meet the new owner

NEW OWNER... Ryan Gordon, who has worked at Minlaton Discounters for four years, is taking over the business.

MINLATON Discounters customers will be greeted by a familiar face as Ryan Gordon is taking over the business.

Ryan has worked at the store for four years and decided he wanted the challenge of being his own boss.

“(Working at Minlaton Discounters) I love interaction with the public, and having previously worked in hospitality, the more reasonable working hours and not having to work nights and only a few hours on a Saturday morning was appealing,” Ryan said.

“Having worked there for four years, I have seen what the business can do and it also gives me the opportunity to be my own boss and prevents another local business from closing.

“It is in a great location and has a well-established customer base and reputation, providing a large variety of options for customers ranging from camping and fishing to pet accessories and general variety.”

Ryan said he looks forward to keeping up the reputation Pam and Phil have established during the past 19 years.

Ryan was born in Minlaton and lived in Goolwa for the first seven years of his life before returning to the town.

“We returned to Minlaton to be closer to family,” Ryan said.

“After completing my schooling at Minlaton District School my first job was at Minlaton IGA, which became IGA Fresh.

“I then worked for I M & C A Johnson Building Contractors and Carpenters before getting a job at the Minlaton Sporting Club.”

Ryan has also worked as a trade’s assistant at Minlaton Power Connections (now Nu-Gen Power and Storage) as well as in hospitality before getting the job at Minlaton Discounters.

“Outside of work, I have been involved with the CMS Crows Football and Netball Clubs for many years,” he said.

“I started as a player and boundary umpire, before goal umpiring due to rupturing my ACL, and becoming a trainer, as well as being the boundary umpire coordinator for a number of years.

“I am also a lawn bowler, having played for 17 years now, winning the club singles title last year, and a couple of pairs titles with my father through the years.

“I have also been fortunate to win a number of premierships during that time.”