AFTER 50 years as the friendly face behind the counter at Yoogali Butchery, Frank Catanzariti is set to sell his last sausage.
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Poor health will force the family to close the doors next month, on the business they started from scratch in 1963.
Mr Catanzariti said he regretted closing the butchery because he will miss the interaction with his regular clients.
“I love what I do and I would continue to be a butcher if my health was good enough, mainly because I love the connection we have with our customers,” Mr Catanzariti said.
“We still have customers who started shopping here when we started 50 years ago.
“It’s always sad when you come to the end of an era, but it will mean we get to spend more time with our grandchildren, which we are looking forward to.”
Mr Catanzariti bought the block of land with his wife, Rosa, and built the butchery from scratch.
When the store opened, Mr Catanzariti had never been a butcher but employed a full-time butcher who taught him the trade.
Since then, he has trained a number of other butchers who now operate their own meat businesses in the region.
Before he sells the store he will have to repair structural damage from the floods.
“Due to the floods we will need to renovate before we can sell the shop as some of the walls are contaminated and have structural damage,” Mr Catanzariti said.
“Unfortunately we have been waiting for an insurance pay out for close to two years and we aren’t sure when to expect it.”
Mr Catanzariti thanked all of his loyal customers, who have supported his business over the years and provided good company.
While the Catazariti family has not decided on an exact closing date, they expect to cease trading in mid-October.