Angaston Cottage Industries is closing its doors after 46 years trading in the main street.
In last week’s Public Notice section of The Leader, the organisation thanked members, of which there are around 500, for their loyalty and friendship over the years and advised that contact would be made in regards to finalising accounts.
Long time member, Mr Barry Chinner was saddened and shocked by the news of the historic shop’s closure.
He said volunteers had told him the decision to cease trading was not made lightly and that “it was time” to call it a day because “they’ve just had enough”.
“Everyone is quite emotional, myself included” said Barry.
“It has been a great institution.”
Angaston Cottage Industries commenced back in 1972, after a group of ladies in the district, led by the late Helen Hill Smith, wanted to find a way of selling their surplus seasonal produce, preserves, craft, needlework and home baked goods.
Barry remembers those days well, with its annual subscription fee of just 50 cents and payouts being made every second Monday of the month.
“I thought then, and still do think, what a great avenue for crafty people to create and sell their creations,” he said.
“I was one of the first to join and was allocated number 14. I thought it was a great idea giving the family gardeners an outlet for their surplus vegies and fruit and the good laying chooks with eggs to spare; the home made jams and preserves, the needlework and so much ...