Grafton’s oldest pet shop for sale

Craig’s Birdplace is on the market after 29 years. Owners, Iven and Linda Craig, share their memories before they retire to go back to what they love: bird breeding.

Craig’s Birdplace began as a bird breeding hobby and market stall run by an iconic Grafton family 29 years ago.

Now it’s up for sale.

Local legend and owner Iven Craig is the great-great-great grandson of escaped convict, Richard Craig who fled from seven years hard labour at Moreton Bay before living for 12 months with First Nations people on the Clarence River.

According to Iven, his ancestor was pardoned by the Governor General and given 100 pounds. Richard later returned to the Clarence Valley and brought the first cedar cutters with him.

Iven’s wife and business owner, Linda is the self-confessed brains behind the business and legendary for her exceptional knowledge of bird, poultry and fish health.

The business gets vet referrals from Coffs Harbour up to the Gold Coast.

Some customers tell her the vets say: “If Linda says to do something then do it.”

She also gets a lot of enjoyment out of helping people in Facebook animal groups.

“There is always someone on there that has a way-out idea and people follow that but they don’t realise how stupid the idea is that they’re following.”

The couple say business is taking off online with customers from the Northern Territory, Western Australia and New Zealand.

“Our first online customer was from the Northern Territory and they wanted aquarium plants because there were no aquarium shops near them in the NT,” she said.

The business has had lots of different animals come in over the years, even when they were trading out of the old house.

“We had to fit a harness for a turkey, we put harnesses on goats and pigs.

“We have had people bring in snakes and lizards.

“We also used to keep bird nest spiders and scorpions,” said Mrs Craig.

The couple have seen generations of customers and consider many of them friends. And the feeling is mutual.

“Some of our customers have said if we sell they will cry,” said Mr Craig.

Business is exceptional but the couple say they are getting older and have retirement plans.

“We love the business it’s been good to us.

“It’s given us everything that we would have wanted and lots of good friends,” said Mrs Craig, who looks forward to working on her vegetable garden and build bigger aviaries for her peacocks and guinea fowls, in retirement.