By Natasha Fujimoto
AFTER 35 years of steadfast service, Finny’s, Shepparton’s beloved Manchester store, is closing its doors for good. As the store prepares to say farewell, one thing is clear, it’s not just the products, but the people who made Finny’s what it is. The heart and soul of this cherished local store have always been its team, a group of loyal staff members who have worked side-by-side for decades, building relationships with customers and creating an atmosphere that felt more like family than retail.
Under the leadership of Ray and Anne Finn, Finny’s has become well known for its exceptional customer service, offering a personal touch in an increasingly impersonal retail world. Over the years, the team has grown to feel like a close-knit family, not just among themselves, but also with their customers because of the team’s warm and genuine approach to customer service.
A remarkable and supportive group of women, the Finny’s sales team have been with the store collectively for over eight decades. Tina (Ray and Anne’s daughter), with just over 35 years of service; Shirley, with 28 years; Tara, with 16 years; and Darielle, who has been there for 9 years, represent the loyalty and dedication that has kept Finny’s running year after year. These staff members have witnessed each other’s families grow, celebrated personal milestones, and supported one another through life’s many joys and challenges.
“We’ve literally watched each other’s families grow from birth,” Shirley said, reflecting on the long-term relationships built within the team.
“For us, it has never just been a job, but a shared journey – a journey we’ve shared together- through both the highs and the lows and that’s what’s made Finny’s so special.”
Echoing Shirley’s sentiment, Tina said, “When we come to work, we’re not just colleagues, we’re friends. We share our stories, our triumphs, our challenges. That’s what makes the job meaningful. It’s not just about selling things; it’s about being there for each other and for our customers.”
Far from ‘the hard sell’, the store’s guiding principle has always focused on ‘putting people first.’ By taking the time to listen, understand, and respond to the individual needs of their customers, Finny’s has won a legion of loyal customers over the years, ensuring generations of families keep returning to the store.
“We never oversell. We don’t push products on people. We’re here to help, to offer advice, and to listen. It’s about building trust with our customers. People know they can come in, have a chat, and not feel pressured. It’s that trust that keeps them coming back,” Shirley said.
Sometimes confidants, at other times trusted advisers, the Finny’s team have truly given it all. From sharing the many personal challenges and victories of their customers to occasionally being a shoulder for them to cry on, the ladies have been inundated with people popping into the store to tell them just how much the entire team will be missed.
As the store prepares to close its doors on December 21, the staff is feeling the weight of the moment. “I think the last day will be very emotional, we’ve spent so many years together, working side by side. It’s going to be hard to walk away from all of this, but all good things must come to an end,” Tina said.
Despite the understandable emotion, there is also gratitude amongst the team, as Tara and Darielle agreed, “We’ve been incredibly lucky to work with each other. We’ve had flexibility when we needed it, understanding and support when faced with challenges. It’s been a job that’s worked for us, and for that, we all feel blessed and are very thankful.”
To read more about the extraordinary Finny’s Manchester team, turn to page 4 (page 14) of The Adviser’s Christmas Gift Guide in this edition
