Ben Bernard and Kelly O’Farrell new owners of Sauers Produce and Garden Centre
A local pair of plant and farming fanatics have stepped up to the challenge of upholding the Sauers name as they take over the popular Gympie produce and garden business.
Gympie
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Loyal customers have turned owners at Sauers Produce and Garden Centre which is changing hands after 90 years.
Ben Bernard, 42, and Kelly O’Farrell, 41, jumped at the opportunity to run the business after former owners Annette and David Lade decided to retire.
“There’s big shoes to fill,” Mr Bernard said on Wednesday.
He felt honoured to work and operate under the Sauer’s name, and had deep respect for the history of the business.
“We intend to build on the relationships and platforms they’ve built over the years,” he said.
The couple plans to expand the historic building while upholding the old-school traditions and values which have drawn locals to the longstanding business.
“You go to a multinational store, you don’t get the service and advice you’ll get here,” he said.
Mr Bernard moved to Gympie 21 years ago after growing up on his family farm in Bathurst, New South Wales.
His partner, Ms O’Farrell, grew up in Gympie, making friends, family and other connections in the local area.
He said she was excited to take over the gardening side of the shop after her parents owned a garden centre themselves.
“Between the two of us, we’ve got the yin and the yang.”
The couple has owned a variety of businesses, their latest being a service station in Gympie and a truck depot in Cooroy three years ago.
The two have since travelled around Australia before officially taking over the produce and garden centre on July 4, 2022.
After officially owning the business for only three days, the new owners they are reassured a great and knowledgeable team is backing them up as they concentrate on the ‘nuts and bolts’.
“We want to be competitive in the market, and source our products at the right price,” Mr Bernard said.
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