Harcourt Produce & General Store operator Annette Larsen has sold her business and officially had her last day on trade on Thursday.
Annette said the time has come for her to hang up her apron and begin a new chapter and she thanked the Harcourt community for their support over the last seven years.
“After many wonderful years working with and serving the Harcourt community I can confirm the business has been sold. The store will be closed from today (Friday) until next Wednesday when the new owners take over. I’ll be around for a couple of weeks to assist during the transition,” she said.
“From day one, it has been my passion to make good, honest food and do it properly. From getting up at 5am to make freshly baked Danish pastries to cooking to order during our busiest periods, it has been a privilege to share food with so many people over the years,” she said.
“The store has always been more than just a business. It has been a place where people came together, shared stories, celebrated milestones and supported one another. It has also been a place where local growers, producers, suppliers and artists have come together, and where many young people have had their first opportunities in hospitality and small business.
“There have certainly been plenty of challenges. Over the years we have had to continually adapt and find new ways to keep things going, from COVID through to the more recent Harcourt fires. We’ve kept turning up, changing things when we needed to and never losing sight of that combination of food and connection. None of that would have been possible without the wonderful support of our incredible team of staff, customers, suppliers, friends and the wider community,” Annette said.
“I would like to sincerely thank every person who has walked through our doors over the years. You have supported the store, supported local food and producers, and allowed me to keep doing something I have truly loved.
“I leave with a heart full of gratitude, wonderful memories and lifelong friendships and am excited to see the next chapter for the store and wish its new custodians, and the Harcourt community, every success for the future.
“Thank you, Harcourt, for your support, friendship and trust over the years. I look forward to seeing you before I go!”