AFTER 37 years, Horsham's Old Peppertree Nursery is closing its doors.
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Current owners Tony and Cathie Robertson have decided that after 12 years at the helm, it’s time for them to focus on family and step away from their beloved business.
“We lost our 10-year-old son Max three years ago to leukaemia and since then, it’s been stressful day to day operating the behind the scenes of the nursery,” she said.
“We love it here and love the girls we work with here, but it’s time for a change.”
Mrs Robertson said the couple could no longer commit seven days a week to the nursery and wanted to spend more time with their son Harry, 15.
She said in some ways, Max’s tragic death was a reminder there was more to life than working.
Mrs Robertson said she had treasured her time at the nursery but it was time to step back from running a business to enjoy time outside of the nursery.
“I’ve loved the people who come in. I loved the talking and loved trying to help people design their gardens – but it’s time to step back and enjoy life and weekends,” she said.
Mrs Robertson said she had always been a keen gardener and jumped at the chance to buy the nursery 12 years ago.
I’ve loved the people who come in, I loved the talking and loved trying to help people design their gardens - but it's time to step back.
- Cathie Robertson
“I’ve been a life-long tree person. I just love them,” she said.
“I love natives and English gardens and everything about them.
“It’s my passion.”
Mrs Robertson said in the 12 years at the nursery, she and Tony had overcome periods with water restrictions, fires, droughts and floods.
“We’ve been through a lot here,” she said.
“It’s been a great time in our lives.
“At first, we lived in the house next door – that’s where our children grew up.
“Over the years, we’ve learned about the tough plants. We don’t get anything in that won’t survive.
“Tony and I used to travel to Melbourne every fortnight or month to handpick stock and bring it back.
“We’ve had some really great times but it’s time to step back and have more time outside work.”
Mrs Robertson said the nursery was an icon of Horsham, with many visitors passing through on their way interstate.
“We would get a lot of people from Adelaide and Melbourne stopping through and annual visitors to the area coming in,” she said.
Mrs Robertson said stock was heavily reduced, with the nursery closing on June 30 or when stock sold.
She implored anyone with gift vouchers to redeem them as soon as possible.