MILLICENT’S Tony and Di Egan will enjoy their first day of retirement tomorrow after one of the town’s most loved businesses officially changes hands.
After two decades at the helm the pair will bow out from the popular George Street retailer, with well-known Millicent identities Lisa and Steve Duldig taking ownership of the premises.
“We’re thrilled Lisa and Steve are taking it on and bringing confidence to Millicent,” Ms Egan said.
“It’s time for someone young to take it on and take the business forward into the new era.”
Mr Egan, a former logistic superintendent at Kimberly-Clark-Australia’s Tantanoola Mill and Ms Egan, a former administration officer at St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School, took the Mensland reigns from Ron and Marilyn Jones in 1997.
“When we took over the store, it was purely menswear,” Ms Egan said.
“Changing from menswear into a broader range of clothing was just a natural thing to do and as some other shops closes down, we took on some stock for the older consumers.
“We evolved into ladies clothing and we also service 10 schools for their uniforms.”
While Ms Egan said the couple, fashion and retail had seen a number of changes through the years, one thing had remained consistent.
“Menswear hasn’t changed a lot,” she said.
“Ladies clothing has gone to a more relaxed style of dressing.
“There used to be really strong fashion codes, but now people are more casual with what they wear and dress for comfort.
“People of 80 aren’t dressing the same as they used to, nowadays people of 80 aren’t dressing any different than people of 60, 50 or even 40.”
As the pair exchange business life for retired life, Ms Egan said she would miss the friendships made along the way.
“Tony and I will miss it and the friends we have made along the way because a lot of our customers are now our friends,” she said.
“We’re looking forward to retirement and spending time with our family and doing some travel.”
New owners Lisa and Steve Duldig will start trading as Since Fifty Six on September 1.
