Deniliquin Mitre 10 has been sold.
Owners Katrina Knuckey and Alan ‘Bluey’ Braybon will hand over the ownership of the business to Dahlsens on November 15.
It will operate in addition to the existing Dahlsens store in Deniliquin.
Alan will be heading into a well-deserved retirement after 38 years as an employee and owner.
Katrina will be staying on with the new owners, leading the team as manager of Dahlsens Mitre 10 - as it will be known.
“We don’t make this decision lightly, with our priority always being the ongoing service to our customers and jobs for our team,” Katrina said on the pair's behalf.
“We are staying where we are, as your local Mitre 10, with more support to better help you.
“Thanks for shopping with us. We value your support and look forward to seeing you soon.”
Katrina said she is “excited for the opportunity” to work for Dahlsens.
“I am also excited for the change and the challenges that will come with providing our customers with the same great service.
“The change is good for everyone.
“Dahlsens will be supportive, and I am looking forward to the future of the business.
“Geoff Dahlsen is a fifth-generation family member and is leading the commitment by the Dahlsens team to continue everything we’ve started.”
Mr Dahlsen said the good news is that the store will continue to service the Riverina community in an “even stronger capacity for many years to come”.
“Very little will change,” he said.
“You will still see the same happy faces and great products you’re used to, with Katrina Knuckey leading the team.”
Dahlsens is a 146 year-old, Australian owned and family-run company.
Deniliquin Mitre 10 will join more than 60 other Dahlsens sites located around Australia, most notably the Dahlsens trade store located at 205-207 Barham Rd, led by Doug Miller.
The Deniliquin Mitre 10 and Dahlsens Barham Rd trade sites will remain trading in their separate locations.
The transition aims to provide the Riverina community with an even stronger and more comprehensive family-run hardware store, ensuring uninterrupted service to the community.
Mr Dahlsen said to expect a “seamless transition” with business operations being largely unaffected during this period.
He also expressed gratitude to Alan and Katrina for entrusting his family with the business and the team.
“We commend their leadership and commitment to the Deniliquin community.
“Our utmost priority is to honour and strengthen the foundation they have laid.”
The Mighty Rewards loyalty program is also here to stay.
This means all your points are still in the bank, and you can continue to add to these and claim rewards as usual.
Dahlsens Deniliquin manager Doug Miller said the change will be “great for Deni”.
“I’m excited, and with the acquisition Dahlsens is securing the sustainability and future of the town.
“Katrina and I both live in the community and look forward to making things bigger and better, servicing our community.
“One thing I love about the family-run business is that we get such a say in how we run the business at our local level.
“We get to influence the way things are run.
“The stores are not just a cookie-cutter box version. They all look different, but we work together to bring in new ideas and the best service we can offer.”