AFTER more than four decades of providing quality furniture and personal service, Chris Webster Furniture will be closing its doors at the end of December.
The store began in 1981 as Chris Webster Interiors in a warehouse on Bond St, Sale. A 1989 feature in the Gippsland Times reported that cane and pine furniture was sold initially until more exclusive brands like Tessa, Parker, and Moran were introduced.
The store also installed vertical drapes and manufactured pine bookcases.
Business boomed, reportedly attracting customers from Latrobe Valley and as far as Merimbula.
The store moved to grander premises in 1986. Chris Webster Furniture remains today in the 20,000-square-foot showroom on Union St, Sale. A Traralgon store opened in 1989.
The current owner, John Hutchins, bought the business in 1993 after working alongside the original owner, Chris Webster, for four years. He and Margo Maher, a long-standing staff member, have maintained the store’s reputation for quality and customer service ever since.
Margo joked that while some people have mistaken her for John’s mother, she’s not sure whether to take it as a compliment but emphasised that although they’re not family, they make a great working team.
Over the years, the store became known for more than just furniture sales. Margo and John built personal connections with their customers, often advising on home décor and returning to check on purchases.
As far as iconic jingles go, Chris Webster Furniture, being the ‘place to shop for quality and service’, is as catchy as it is true.
It’s what John and Margo hope the store is remembered for.
“We’ve always prided ourselves in quality, but also too in the service,” Margo said.
“Yes, you have a sale, but John is the last person at the end of the sale because … he’ll load it on the truck, he delivers it into the person’s house and sets it up for them, and that then is the end of a sale,” she said.
John proudly said they’d never had a complaint they couldn’t resolve.
“Every sale I’ve made is a highlight,” Margo shared, because it’s not just about the furniture; it’s about knowing the customers and meeting their specific needs.
“If they tell me that (they) have an area that requires 10 chairs, for instance, you source what’s available, and I’ve been asked back on many occasions to come and have a look at the end product, which is fantastic.”
When the store announced it would be closing on its Facebook page, customers responded with thanks and support. Some commented on the quality of furniture and service and that their houses had been fully furnished by Chris Webster Furniture. Another comment said the store has been a “fixture in Sale”.
Reflecting on the history, Margo fondly remembered the early days.
“I’ve been here right from the beginning,” she said.
“We had wonderful support from the local people, and the store went from strength to strength.”
John shared similar sentiments, noting how they have always prioritised selling top-quality Australian-made products.
Some of their favourite bygone furniture brands include Davis Furniture – John and Margo’s favourite, which had its boomtime between 1994-97 – as well as Moran and Janda.
“Twenty years ago, 95 per cent of (furniture) was Australian made,” he said.
But over time, local manufacturing has dwindled, replaced by cheaper imports. Despite this, the store has maintained its dedication to supporting Australian products, with over half of its current floor stock being Australian-made.
The store has weathered many changes in the furniture industry.
John noted a shift away from classic furniture pieces like display cabinets and tallboys impacted independents like Chris Webster Furniture.
He explained that because furniture like entertainment units and other cabinetry were being built into houses, the market for that type of furniture had diminished.
The decision to close comes in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and after years of grappling with changing consumer habits, such as online shopping and economic challenges.
“It’s gotten really tough,” John admitted.
“The way things have been over the last five years has made it more and more difficult to make it comfortable.”
John explained customers often came in hoping to replace a cheaply made lounge suite that lasted only six months, but by then, it’s hard for them to afford a higher-quality replacement.
As the closure nears, John and Margo reflected on the community they have served and the memories they’ve made. Beyond Chris Webster Furniture, the pair have been heavily involved in sporting clubs, with John a coach across Maffra, Sale and Woodside. Margo played, umpired and coached netball and basketball.
“It’s going to be quite difficult… not dealing with people. I love it,” John said.
For Margo, it’s the personal relationships and the daily routine she’ll miss most.
“I’ll miss having my morning coffee made for me every morning. John’s my barista,” Margo laughed.
“And, of course, the lovely people we’ve worked with over the years.”
Margo will also miss walking through the front door.
“I mean walking in the same door for 40 years, that’s a huge achievement for a start.”
The closure’s impact on the local business landscape is significant. Chris Webster Furniture is one of several small businesses facing similar challenges.
“It’s sad to see the main street so quiet,” John said, alluding to closed stores and the broader economic strains in the region.
While the closure marks the end of an era, Chris Webster Furniture’s legacy will live on in the homes of the many customers who’ve furnished their spaces with pieces from the store.
“I think Chris definitely left a legacy in setting up a business like it has been. And, of course, then John purchased the business, and it’s gone from strength to strength as well, so John will be leaving a legacy,” Margo said.
Neither John nor Margo knew exactly what lay in their future when they sat down on an Australian-made couch to chat with the Gippsland Times. Perhaps semi-retirement and more volunteering.
“I’d just like to say thank you to all the lovely people that I’ve been able to deal with over those many years and it’s been a pleasure to be able to assist them in their purchases,” Margo said.
“That’s just true,” John reiterated.
