Big W Erina celebrates 33rd anniversary
From children following in their parent’s footsteps to staff falling in love and going on to get married and have kids of their own, Big W Erina has had a lot of stories over its 33 years.
Central Coast
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A founding tenant of Erina Fair, Big W has become somewhat of an institution at the shopping centre since the store opened on this day in 1987.
Two of its earliest staff members have notched up more than 30 years of service, while another five team members celebrated 15 years of service just last week.
The store, which has just shy of 100 employees, celebrates its 33rd anniversary and for two staff this milestone is just that little bit more special.
Team members Kristy and Chris Veale met through Big W as teenagers working part time as they completed high school at Berkeley Vale and Terrigal respectively.
They have since gone on to get married, have had one “Big W baby” and have another on the way.
“We were just really good mates,” Kristy said.
“We were just sort of dating, we went to the zoo, went out for lunches, it naturally progressed.”
The couple have spent stints at the Tuggerah store but are both back at Erina where they often get asked what was it like to work with your husband or wife.
“It’s kind of just normal for us,” Kristy said.
The couple joke they may have crossed paths “at a blue light disco” before they met working at the store.
After more than three decades, Big W Erina also boasts team members who have followed in the footsteps of their parents, with mums and dads working alongside their children.
Even in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic the store plays an important role with more than 67,000 customers walking through its doors last month.
For the Veale's, retail is in their blood.
“I just like the people, I like talking to the customers,” Kristy said.
“It’s always been part of our lives and I’m grateful for that, and I met my husband (there).”