Century of history ends with shop closure

A RIVERVIEW butcher’s shop has closed its doors for the last time after more than a century in business.

Luke Dobbins (centre) on his last day in business at Riverview Gourmet Meats with (from left) 43-year customer Di Hoskins, 30-year customer Gary Rumney and fellow bucthers Mikaela Morrell and Glenn Carratt. Picture: AAP Image / Julian Andrews.

A RIVERVIEW butcher’s shop has closed its doors for the last time after more than a century in business.

Riverview Gourmet Meats had been serving the local community since the early 1900s, soon after Australia’s federation.

In all that time it had only four owners, two of them running the shop at Yorks Corner on Tambourine Bay Rd for 40 years each.

The latest, Luke Dobbins, has decided to move on after 29 years at Riverview.

“It has been a very sad couple of weeks, saying goodbye to everyone,” he said.

“I’m really going to miss this place. There’s a big lump in my throat.

Closing after more than a century of service ... Luke Dobbins’ bucther shop.

“A lot of people are upset. I’ve had a lot of people crying, women and men.

“The change will be a bit of a shock. There’s a lot of history here. If only the walls could talk, as they say.”

Mr Dobbins, 49, said his lease was up and it was “time to move on”.

His first plan was to have a holiday before looking at job opportunities in the new year.

He said many customers had wanted him to have a big barbecue out the front of the shop on his final day last Saturday but he opted for a quiet farewell.

“I’m old school. Besides, we’ve hardly got any sausages left,” he said.

“I have concentrated on giving good, old-fashioned service.

Luke Dobbins ... “there’s a big lump in my throat”. Picture: AAP Image / Julian Andrews.

“You get to know all the customers, and their families and kids … the birthdays, weddings and funerals.

“One minute I’m a butcher, the next I’m a psychiatrist with people crying on my shoulder, the next I’m changing tyres on a lady’s car.

“That’s what we’re here for, to help people. I was told as a young kid to do good to others; it’s common sense.

“A lot of people have said, ‘Don’t go, don’t go’. It’s a bit overwhelming actually. But unfortunately I’ve made up my mind.”

He said the thing he would miss most was his clients.

“They are amazing customers, beautiful people. I just like this area so much.”

But after commuting daily from his home in Hornsby for almost three decades a chapter in local history has come to a close.