Jaffers Furniture owner Heather Jaffer explains why she’s closing her 91-year-old Port Adelaide shop

There aren’t many living South Australians who can remember a time when Heather Jaffer’s store wasn’t a part of the landscape. Read why she’s now closing its doors.

Since Jaffers Furniture announced their closing last week, Heather Jaffer has been swamped with customers at the Port Adelaide showroom.

Heather, 79, told The Advertiser that retirement looked “lovely at the moment” after almost 45 years of carrying forward the family business.

“(Retirement) means a little more relaxing time,” she said.

“I’ve got a lot of arthritis and some days it’s really bad … and I think, ‘Oh I don’t want to go to work,’ and that’s not right because I love my work.”

Port Adelaide's Jaffers Furniture is closing down after 91 long years as Heather Jaffer retires next month. Picture: Dean Martin

Jaffers Furniture was established in 1934 by Heather’s parents-in-law Max and Ena Jaffer, who converted six cottages along St Vincent Street into a showroom.

The store was then passed down to their son and Heather’s husband Roger Jaffer, who ran the business with Heather until his death in 2022.

“We worked together for 45 years and without (Roger) around, it’s just never really been the same,” she said.

Port Adelaide's Jaffers Furniture is closing down after 91 long years, as Heather Jaffer is retiring the family business. One of her grandsons, Lincoln Holmes, helping her dispose of the floor stock. 13 January 2025. Picture: Dean Martin

The decision to close was met with a lot of community support, with customers coming in to relay fond stories of their purchases.

“It sort of amazes me a bit … it’s really starting to make me think “Oh my goodness me, what have I done? “,” she said.

LEAVE YOUR MEMORIES OF JAFFER’S FURNITURE IN THE COMMENTS

Mrs Jaffer, who will be turning 80 at the end of this month, is ready to “give her poor old body a rest”.

“I’ve worked since I was 15, and now I’m just getting old and tired. I think that’s what it really boils down to.”

Heather said she has “plenty she could do” after retirement, including spending as much time as she can with her “affectionate” 11-year old dog.

“(My dog’s) very nearly at the end of his time and I feel guilty leaving him home by himself,” she said.

“I also do a lot of craftwork, knitting for charity and make greeting cards that you wouldn’t find anywhere else, and I get a lot of pleasure out of that.

Her Tuesdays, in particular, are reserved for golf-playing, a pastime she attends to religiously every week.

“I ride around in the buggy on most days … have a giggle with my girlfriends and do lunch in the afternoon”.

She considers the Jaffers legacy as a “good old-fashioned family business”, with a close-knit staff network that she considers “her own family”.

“We’ve done all right, we’ve had a good run,” she said.

The store has been in operation for 91 years and spanned four generations, with Heather’s children and grandchildren also involved.

Jaffers will trade for the last time on February 26, with a “once in a 91 year” clearance sale.

Originally published as Jaffers Furniture owner Heather Jaffer explains why she’s closing her 91-year-old Port Adelaide shop