RELATED: Leahy’s name to power on

It’s time for Leahy’s Home Living to say thank you and goodbye to the Warrnambool community.

After offering expertise and familiar faces for more than six decades, the family-owned and operated shop will wind up its operations by the middle of November.

Owner Rob Askew, whose uncle Jim Leahy set the business up around 1950, had decided the timing was right.

“I’ve grown up in various family businesses all my life,” Mr Askew, 75, said.

“Some of them have been seven days, 24 hours a day, and now I’ve just decided it’s time to take some time for myself and for my family.”

After running automotive, tile, brick and tow truck businesses and working as a trade teacher, Mr Askew took over Leahy’s Home Living in 1999 as his uncle’s health deteriorated.

Mr Askew had been running the business with the help of his daughter Leesa Russell and her husband Jason.

“I suppose I’ve always looked forward to a challenge, but I think the challenges are just about running out now,” he said.

“The retail landscape has changed immensely from when he (Jim) started and with the introduction of multinationals, they’ve caused a change in the landscape for all retail and for small family-operated businesses.”

Mr Leahy served on the Warrnambool City Council for 25 years and was known for his community spirit.

Mr Askew said his uncle was a “father figure” and role model.

“He had a big heart and helped a lot of people who we will probably never know about,” he said.

Mrs Russell laughed as she recalled a woman coming into the shop after Mr Askew took over.

“She said ‘Oh, Jimmy loaned me a stove 20 years ago, it’s just broken down, do you have another one?’” she said.

“He gave a lot of things away and looked after people from the heart.”

The store operated as Leahy’s Retravision for most of the time, with Mr Leahy being one of the first shareholders in the company.

Mrs Russell grew up with the shop as a defining influence in her life, and after living away from Warrnambool for 15 years, she returned home and started working at Leahy’s Home Living in 2008.

“It was always an adventure down there because there were so many nooks and crannies. As a kid, it was a fascinating place,” she said.

Mr and Mrs Russell have worked together in family businesses since they met more than 20 years ago, and they’re both ready ready to pursue other passions.

The shop is set to shut its doors on November 11 but employees won’t be facing job losses.

“If people come in to say goodbye, we’d love to see our customers,” Mrs Russell said.

Mr Askew is running for a third term on Warrnambool City Council. He’s looking forward to spending more time in his shed, including restoring an MG, and dedicating himself to his family and community groups.

“We are a community-minded family and believe you only get out of life what you put in,” he said.