Woolsy Trading Post to close in December after 49 years of business

A wool shop in Geelong West will close its doors after nearly 50 years of trading.

Woolsy Trading Post owner Graeme King is closing his Geelong West store after 49 years. Picture: Alison Wynd

A wool shop in Geelong West will close after almost five decades in business.

Woolsy Trading Post on Shannon Ave, which sells wool, sheep skin products and craft supplies, will cease trading on December 16.

The business began in Graeme and Nola King’s backyard in Wimmera Ave, Manifold Heights in the early 1970s.

Mr King, 84, purchased a business that made sheep skin buff pads, which were used to polish metals.

He loved to experiment with different patterns and started to design footwear using sheep skin, including moccasins and ugg boots.

Mr King began to sell the designs at a shopfront on Shannon Ave, around the corner from their home, before the business moved to its current store.

He then began to produce a range of sheep skin products including coats, hats, cushions and golf club covers and even expanding into wooden furniture.

Mr King was known for his sheep skin car covers, which he designed by hand to fit each individual seat.

Mr King continued to design and manufacture the products while Mrs King worked in the shop and established a business inside the store, selling tapestry, threads, ribbons and felt.

After his wife died in 2005, Mr King thought he would sell the business but he continued to operate the shop with the help of his staff, including Ruth Watson, who has worked at Woolsy for 16 years.

The family decided to close the business due to Mr King’s ongoing health issues and the rising prices of business expenses.

“It’s time for him to take some for himself,” daughter Caroline King said.

“He has looked out for his workers for a long time and kept the business going.”

Ms King said customers were “devastated” the shop would be closing.

“They keep asking ‘will you change your mind’ and ‘what are we going to do’,” she said.

“It’s the only business that has ever been in the property that it’s in so it's a real mainstay of Geelong West.”

Ms King thanked the loyal residents that supported the business during its 49 years of trading and said Mr King would miss his interactions with the customers.

Woolsy currently has 10 per cent off sheep skin products and 30 per cent off all other products in store.

Mr King will be instore on the business’ final trading day for customers to say goodbye.

Originally published as Woolsy Trading Post to close in December after 49 years of business