A Queens Park family business is marking 80 years of serving the local community, a milestone that few independent retailers achieve.
EE Hambley has operated from the same site since 1946, although the store was rebuilt in 1989. The family-owned business includes a Supa IGA, Australia Post outlet and Lotterywest kiosk, and is the second longest-serving Lotterywest retail partner in Western Australia.
Co-owner Margaret Hambley said reaching 80 years in business was a proud achievement.
“It’s a major achievement and we know that not many people reach that milestone,” she said.
“We are happy to achieve 80 years because it has been a lot of hard work and long hours.”
Mrs Hambley said only two generations of the family had owned the business, although four generations, including children and grandchildren, had worked in the store over the years.
She said Queens Park had changed dramatically since she married into the family in 1973 and started working in the business in 1982.
“It used to be a quiet area with paddocks, horses and cows,” she said.
“Now there are multistorey buildings. We were the only supermarket, now there are multiple shops and a big shopping centre.”
Despite those changes, Mrs Hambley said many customers had stayed with the business for decades.
“We still know our local customers who have been shopping here for 40, 50 and 60 years,” she said.
She recalled one customer who was born, lived and died in the same house in Queens Park.
Mrs Hambley believes the business has continued to thrive because of its focus on customer service.
“Customer service, customer service, customer service,” she said.
“We have a lot of competition in this area and what has kept us is our strong customer service.”
She said home and online deliveries were especially valued by older customers, while the business had also built an unexpected customer base on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island.
Mrs Hambley said the island deliveries began about 30 years ago after a family member visiting the Cocos (Keeling) Islands was asked if the store could supply groceries.
“What started with one customer has grown to about 300,” she said.
“It’s a lot of work. We have to make sure everything is really fresh and packed carefully to survive the flight.”
Mrs Hambley said the relationships built with customers and staff had been one of the most rewarding parts of running the business.
“I love the interaction with my customers. I love to chat with them,” she said.
She said she was also proud of employing young people and watching them grow.
“They all come back to see me and some will even do emergency shifts if needed,” she said.
Lotterywest chief executive Colin Smith congratulated the family on the milestone, saying businesses such as EE Hambley had played an important role in supporting Lotterywest and the WA community over many decades.
The anniversary coincides with this weekend’s Saturday Lotto draw, which has a $6 million prize pool. Tickets are available until 6pm on Saturday in store, online and through the Lotterywest app.
