THE door has closed on a much-loved Casterton institution, but all is not lost as a brand-new business opens its doors for the town.
After 15 years, Janet Burns has officially pulled the shades on Milly’s Women’s and Kidswear and Bec Robinson has taken up the challenge, launching her new store ‘Aunty & Me’ last week.
“It’s been and 15 amazing years … met people, so much social interaction with so many people and life stories, life events you get to share with them, I have loved it all,” Mrs Burns said.
“In my first years of running Milly’s, whilst I was at the bank, I have had too numerous to mention, but I have had the most amazing people work for me, right from the start,” Mrs Burns said.
“The people I have had in here, I could not wish for anything better … I just cannot find the words to describe how grateful I am.
“Things like the hailstorm put a different perspective on things but we march on, we’re pretty resilient … Casterton has a lot to offer and Aunty & Me’s going to be one of them.”
Ms Robinson, who nurses at the Casterton Memorial Hospital, said the option to buy Milly’s came up “just at the right time” and she was looking forward to both the fun and challenge of a new business.
“We had a family tragedy … felt like I needed something new, a change,” she said.
“I’m still going to do my nursing, but this will be something new, something fresh … a great environment to work in.”
And Aunty & Me – named for her role for a large number of nieces and nephews, as well as great-nieces and nephews – will be a family affair.
“I’ll definitely be pulling the family in to help me out,” Ms Robinson said.
“Mostly my niece, Kearie, but my daughters, Alannah and Bronte will be in here too.
“I’ll have plenty of little models when I need to test out clothing!”
Ms Robinson said she was taking both an ‘if it ai not broke, do not fix it’ and ‘a change is as good as a holiday’ approach, to the business.
“I love what Janet’s done for the last 15 years, I have always popped in and bought a few things over the years, I think she’s done a wonderful job, so I’ll keep what she’s got and bring in a few new things to add to the mix,” she said.
Aunty & Me will also retain two important services offered by Milly’s, with local school uniforms continuing to be available and the dry cleaning service.
