14/01/2026
Our final and hardest post.
As you will read in the paper this morning, we are transitioning to Drakes Millicent.
There are so many personal, business, financial and family reasons behind this decision, and trust me, it was not easy, and the doubt is still here.
For the most part, everything here will stay the same. Drakes have been good enough to allow us to continue managing the store with all of our current staff, they have been nothing short of amazing in assisting us with the transition. They too are a South Australian family business and can offer our community and staff opportunities that we can not, and transform the store into something far out of our reach.
Taking the family name off of the building is incredibly hard and emotional, but at the same time we are very proud of what our family has been able to achieve over many years.
We could not have done this without the incredible loyalty given to us by our customers and suppliers, no words can express our gratitude for this. We hope this loyalty we be passed onto Drakes as they continue to support our community.
There are so many people I need to thank, and we will try to get to you all personally in time once the dust settles and our heads clear. Some special thanks need to go to some incredibly supportive people that I could not have managed the store for the past 18 years without.
Phil Telfer and Dave Meek, the guidance, advice and support these two have given me over many years is invaluable and will not be forgotten.
My parents, they trusted me to manage and change their store despite the fact I have had no training or education in retail, and they stood by me and supported when I told them that the time is right to move on and that Drakes are the right people.
My wife, Ange, she has more input into the business than she is ever given credit for and there is absolutely no way I could have done any of this without her.
Lastly, our incredible staff, past and present.
We hope you all understand our decision and will continue to support the business under the new banner.
Thank you all.
Dave Foster
