General News
6 September, 2024
Benallack’s celebrates its 60 year milestone
BENALLACK’S Sports is gearing up to celebrate a big milestone this month and is inviting the community to join in on the festivities.
The store, which specializes in sporting products including hunting and fishing gear, is celebrating 60 years of business this year.
The store originally opened in 1964 and was run by Gwen and Ross Benallack before being passed to current owners Andrew Benallack and Michelle Elijah in the 80s and 90s.
Ms Elijah said Andrew Benallack and herself were both excited to be celebrating the milestone.
“I think 60 years in business is a pretty massive achievement in this day and age, and I’m really proud to be a part of the Benallack’s legacy now,” she said.
“We still do things like the gas refills that Ross and Andrew used to do when he was younger.
“It’s just sad that poor old Ross is not here to celebrate with them.
“He’s been gone for 21 years now, but happy to say that Gwen’s going to come down and cut a cake with Andrew when we have our celebration on the 25th.”
Benallack’s Sports will be holding a party on Wednesday, September 25, and is inviting the community to come along and share in reminiscing the store’s history.
“Pop down the street and have a sausage from the Lions barbecue that they’re going to have for us during the day,” Ms Elijah said.
“Pop in and say hello – you might even bump into an old staff member or two along the way.
“Come in and grab a piece of cake and enjoy the atmosphere.
“The radio’s going to be here for a couple of hours, we’re going to have reps in store that have been around for ages launch some new products, and we’re going to have some giveaways – give out vouchers every week with purchases as well.
“We’re pretty excited to have a celebration atmosphere in the street.”
The celebration day will also include a launch of NetFit products with Sarah Wall, as well as face painting over the course of the day.
A cake-cutting ceremony will be held at 11.30am on the day, and will be cut by Andrew Benallack and Gwen Benallack
Benallack’s Sports will also be celebrating their milestone with month-long promotions, giveaways and vouchers to win.
There will be special deals on a variety of products, as well as lucky shopper prizes announced weekly.
Ms Elijah extended her gratitude to the community for supporting the store over its 60 years of operation.
“We’d just like to say thank you to the community for supporting us over this time, and I’m sure everyone’s got a story about Ross fixing their bike when they were a kid or helping them out with a chainsaw or what-have-you from time to time,” she said.
“It would be lovely to hear people reminiscing about him and when Andrew actually had hair - I might even try and find some photos.
“We just to say a big thank you to the district and previous staff that have come and gone and just made Benallack’s what it is today.
“We’re just proud to still be around to serve the community.”
Ms Elijah said the store owes its longevity to its ability to evolve and is looking forward to the future of Benallack’s Sports.
“There’s lots of new things that we have put into our business over the time,” she said.
“It’s very much an evolving space because of the way retail is, but we’d like to say the legacy of Benallack’s is still within the walls and still goes on.
“Now we have Bailey - she loves to be here and always thanks people for shopping at Benallack’s, which I think is pretty cute.”