Conondale General Store: Hamilton family to bid farewell to community after 17 years behind the counter

A chance to own a piece of history is up for grabs with a well-known family placing an iconic general store on the market after 17 years behind the counter.

An iconic 72-year-old general store is on the market.

The Conondale General Store could be yours with the popular Hamilton family set to part ways with the “community hub” after 17 years behind the counter.

Established in 1949, the General Store is rich in history as is the region itself.

Conondale's General Store is up for sale with the Hamilton family looking for a sea change after 17 years.

Owner Natalie Hamilton, 54, said the decision to move on from the area was a tough one.

“We’ve tossed and turned over the idea because it’s so much security here,” she said.

“It’s a well established business … and it’s really our breadwinner, I’m still helping my grown adult kids out financially.

“We love the town there’s a lot of nice locals and we get a lot of local support so it's going to be very hard to leave.”

After 17 years behind the counter, the Hamilton family, Ashley, Natalie and their daughter Levanna are moving on from the Conondale General Store.

The Conondale General Store sits proudly in the centre of the township, opposite the primary school, public pool and tennis courts.

The property also offers a three-bedroom home adjoined to the store with a pool.

The township – between Maleny and Kenilworth – is home to just over 850 people, according to the 2016 census.

Ray White Maleny agent Allister Millican said it was a unique opportunity.

“The General Store is very important to the community, the store is where you go if you want information,” he said.

“If you want to find somebody to cut down a tree, or you want a bit of gossip you go down to the store.

“It is the community of Conondale.”

Conondale's General Store is up for sale.

The Hamiltons originally purchased the store in 2004 looking for a change of pace.

“I was originally from the area, I went to Conondale school and we knew the business,” she said.

“I used to work here on the weekends and I knew it was a nice little business and I knew a lot of people and that was a nice country town.”

Mrs Hamilton and husband of 23 years, Ashley, plan to travel and spend more time with grandchildren.

“As much as we love Conondale, I think it‘s time for us to have a bit of a move, we’ve spent most of our life here,” the mother-of-three said.

“When you’re in a small town, it‘s like the hub of the community, a lot of people like to come here to chat because there’s not a lot of other places to catch up in a country town and often people will meet up out the front.

“We would love to see a family come here, it’s such a great family lifestyle … someone nice who has lots of energy and who can take it where it can really go.”

Mr Millican said the preference was for the owners is to sell the property freehold however there were other options.

“The freehold is $1.6 million plus stock at value,” he said.

“They are willing to offer a lease hold as well at $650,000.”

Originally published as Conondale General Store: Hamilton family to bid farewell to community after 17 years behind the counter