Parap landmark likely to change hands as owners look to the future

A landmark Territory family business is about to experience its biggest change in 50 years. We reveal what’s in store for the enterprise.

Parap Fine Foods is set for a shake-up, with the owners putting the business on the market.

After more than 50 years, it is one of the best known businesses in Darwin.

It’s reputation is built on range, quality, bottle-shop, layout and for being one of a kind.

Founded by Paul and Rene Pantazis as Parap Fruit and Vegetable Supplies in 1968, it has been run since the late 1980s and early 1990s by their children Neville and Paula.

Contemplating the future, Neville and Paula made the tough decision to sell the business and focus on the next phase of their lives.

“We’re mentally and physically exhausted, it’s as simple as that,” the younger Mr Pantazis said.

“We’ve made measures to counter the seven-day-a-week grind by closing on Sundays but I don’t want to work here until I die.

“I feel like that’s where we’re going because I could stay here for another 10 or 20 years.

“I think there’s an opportunity to sell up.

“We’d like to be in a situation where we spend more time with my parents.

“Mum’s 83 and Dad’s just turned 91 – so we’re working towards a conclusion that’s right for all of us.”

Neville Pantazis will sell his family business, Parap Fine Foods, in pursuit of work-life-balance. Picture: (A) manda Parkinson

The building is also part of the sale.

When the second generation took over, Parap Fine Foods was a shop with provedoring as a side hustle. Based on their previous experience and travel, they chose to take the shop in a different direction.

“David Jones was probably the catalyst towards really getting me into the shop,” Mr Pantazis junior said.

“In 1968 we were Parap Fruit and Veg.

“It got to a stage when we started ordering in Simon Johnson quality food type products and it was difficult for them to understand why Parap Fruit and Veg were calling, hence why we changed the name to Parap Fine Foods - just to make our life a lot more easier in dealing with those customers.

“Stores like David Jones were a huge influence in the way they displayed.

“They had lower shelves and rather than long aisles we cut our aisles.

“Through our travels through Europe we realised the front windows were a point of sale.

“In consultation with (Territory architect) Hully Liveris we realised the window displays were a great feature in promoting product.

Parap Fine Foods deli staff with some of their produce. Picture: Che Chorley

“I come from an arts background and the windows gave me the opportunity to use young local artists to exhibit their artworks as well as for us showcase product.

“I was born in Darwin but I think my influence comes from travel.

“I think Melbourne and Sydney were the initial eye-openers as such and Mum always instilled travel within us and we then started to see the Londons, New Yorks and Athens and I think that’s when it changed.

“Parap Fine Foods was always innovative.

“It always made sure that whatever the food trends were we’d follow so Darwin wasn’t left behind and the other good thing about Darwin is the population travels.

“The people of Darwin weren’t stuck here. They’d go to Spain, Italy or London and come back and ask if we could find this product or that product. That was another thing that drove us in terms of the range of product that we carry is that our customer base is well travelled and they taught us a lot too.”

After more than 30 years in business, Mr Pantazis senses Darwin is embarking on a period of economic growth.

“The hardest thing about Darwin is it goes through a seven-year economic cycle,” he said.

“You’re riding high and then you’re riding low and we’ve just gone through some of the lowest periods and you know that next level of growth is coming. It feels like the start.”