GARRY and Darlene Motum have been on a roller coaster ride of emotions for the past fortnight, as many people from throughout the Inverell community called in to express their feelings about the closure of their furniture store this week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“It’s been a happy ride. People have really been nice to us. The support we’ve had from the local people, our customers, our friends, has just been amazing,” Garry said.
“It was unbelievable. A lot of sad people, a lot of tears and hugs and that sort of thing.”
“We have been completely humbled by the support of the local community.”
Darlene said so many customers visited the store to wish them well.
“They gave us gifts, bottles of wine, flowers and chocolates,” she said.
“Our friends at Harvey Norman gave us chocolates and a deck of cards, so that when we get bored we can play poker. We’ve always got on well with them.”
Garry said the level of support had taken them both by surprise.
“We know most people in town, but we just never thought that people would respond like they did, with so many different things,” Garry said.
With the closing down sale completed, the only thing left to do is clear their last bit of stock. That will start at 6.30am tomorrow when Motum’s holds a very big garage sale at the store.
“It’s just to clear the leftover goods and some bits and pieces we’ve found in our storage shed. That’ll be our last big day,” Garry said.
From there it will be off to new adventures for the couple. Garry said he has a new venture in the pipeline, but preferred not to elaborate.
“I’m looking forward to doing something different from retail, and Darlene will just see what comes along,” he said.
“It will be scary, as well as exciting, but we’re looking forward to that.”
“We know most people in town, but we just never thought that people would respond like they did, with so many different things,” Garry said.
Motum’s Furniture has traded in Inverell for 30 years. Garry said his business had kept running smoothly in no small part because of the wonderful staff he had had throughout.
“We would like to really thank all those staff, both past and present, who supported us so well through the years,” Garry said.
He said they decided it was time for a change.
“It’s nothing to do with competition, it’s time for a change and it is our decision to go,” Garry said.
With the closing down sale completed, the only thing left to do is clear their last bit of stock.
That will start at 6.30am tomorrow when Motum’s holds a very big garage sale at the store.
“It’s just to clear the leftover goods and some bits and pieces we’ve found in our storage shed. That’ll be our last big day,” Garry said. From there it will be off to new adventures for the couple.
Garry said he has a new venture in the pipeline, but preferred not to elaborate.
“I’m looking forward to doing something different from retail, and Darlene will just see what comes along,” he said. “It will be scary, as well as exciting, but we’re looking forward to that.”
