After 18 years of business in Mount Isa, the keys to Brogden's Furniture Court and Beds R Us was handed over to a new local owner.
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On Monday October 31, an era came to an end for Louise Brogden as she passed her retail business over to Rick and Kirsty Winsor.
Louise Brogden took over the management of the family business in the early 90s but now looks forward to spending quality time with her own family.
“When I returned from school, I started working for my parents Yvonne and Cyril Ellis at Isa City Furniture Discounters, until 1998 when I took it over and it became Brogden’s,” Ms Brogden said.
“Overall my family have been in business in Mount Isa for about 45 years.”
Ms Brogden said one of the highlights of Brogden’s over the years was winning a business award for cooperate citizenship in 2011.
“I do support a lot of organisations and sporting groups with sponsorship, as I feel doing this in a small community is a must.
“The business has been great to myself and my family. Of course Mount Isa has its cycles and we have seen quite a number of them but they have always worked out well in the end.
“We have had very loyal customers and repeat business in which some people have become family.”
Ms Brogden praised the community for their continuous support over the years.
“A lot of people have this misconception that Mount Isa doesn’t have anything but I always wanted to have so much jammed in here so that people could chose from a wide variety. People would come in knowing they would see something different.”
The shop will close for two weeks while renovations continue, and will reopen under ownership of Rick and Kirsty Winsor on November 16.
Ms Winsor was an employee of Ms Brogden for a number of years before starting her family. Ms Winsor said she was excited to step back into the retail business.
“After refurbishments the store will reopen as Mount Isa Furniture and Bedding,” Ms Winsor said.
“I am excited and looking forward to seeing all the new furniture that will be coming in. There is a great range, new style and affordable prices.
“We open just in time for everyone to check out our new range and do some Christmas shopping.
“The community support has been great and locals seem happy that a local has taken over the business to continue the supply of great furniture and bedding.”