Thomas Jenkins retiring after 29 years of running store at Forest Hill Chase

A popular shop owner is finally calling it a day after 29 years at Forest Hill shopping centre, but hopes a new owner can keep his business going.

Tom Jenkins at his Australian Stamp and Coin store at Forest Hill Chase in 2019. The store has been at Forest Hill Chase for 24 years. Picture: Andy Brownbill

After 29 years of serving customers from his store at Forest Hill Chase, Thomas Jenkins is finally calling it a day.

Mr Jenkins has run his business, the Australian Stamp and Coin Company, at the centre since 1995 and is Forest Hill’s longest running retailer.

But at the impressive age of 89, and turning 90 this year, he has reluctantly decided to finally retire.

“It’s very straightforward, at my age, after 29 years, I’m not prepared to sign another five year lease, I’ll be too old,” he said.

“I’ve run out of time.”

“My health is fine at the moment but who knows what the next five years will bring.”

Mr Jenkins has put his business, which is located next to Harris Scarfe, up for sale and is hopeful a new owner will be able to keep it going.

“It is still popular and the potential is enormous,” Mr Jenkins said.

Mr Jenkins is Forest Hill’s longest serving retailer. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The business buys and sells stamps, coins and banknotes from around the world, and is the only shop of its kind to operate from within a shopping centre in Australia.

Mr Jenkins has a long history of running a variety of businesses including a chain of about 30 stores, and started The Australian Coin and Stamp company at the age of 60, turning his hobby into his job.

“I think I retired into my hobby because it’s not like going to work – I’m dealing with like-minded people, they’re all collectors of one kind or another,” he said.

“My daughters will say you should already be retired now, but you do need to have a hobby in life and if you’re fortunate enough to have good health there’s no reason why you shouldn’t continue to work.”

He has seen “constant changes” at Forest Hill Chase over the years, including Harris Scarfe leaving and Myer replacing it, before Harris Scarfe returned about five years later, and Big W and Kmart leaving.

Mr Jenkins has seen a lot of changes at Forest Hill over the years. The centre in 2007. Picture: John Young, Victorian Places

He remembers when Harris Scarfe originally had two levels and escalators within the store.

“It’s always been a good, safe centre, and I live in Waverley so I’m only a short hop, step and jump away,” he said.

The hardest time of his 29 years of trading was when Covid hit.

“There was a period of two years when we were not able to do much trade, which was a very

frustrating period for all retailers,” he said.

There are now closing down signs on his store and Mr Jenkins said countless people had come in to say they were sorry to hear he was leaving.

“It’s been very touching – we’re part of the furniture here,” he said.

But Mr Jenkins has listed the business for sale, and although he plans to retire in about three months, he is hoping a new owner will keep the store going.

“I would be highly delighted and they have a wonderful opportunity to expand the business and be very profitable and serve the community,” he said.

“But it’s beyond me now – if I was 20 years younger I wouldn’t even think about leaving but there is tremendous scope for improvement and expansion of the business.”