Tuesday, 02 August 2011

Park legacy continues

The famous shopper on the scooter - Maureen Park

The long standing Wool and Craft Shop in the Bay Centre, owned by the late John and Maureen Park, will remain in the family as daughter, Debbie Krauser has taken over the reins. Debbie has always been fond of her mum’s Wool and Craft business. She spent a lot of time learning the tricks of the trade from her mum. She always knew that one day she would run the shop and continue the family legacy. Debbie has already started doing minor renovations and hopes to keep the shop running as smoothly as her parents did. It has been a trying time for her and sister Pauline since their father quietly passed away in his sleep on 7 June, followed by their mother only five weeks later.

Legacy
More than 25 years ago Maureen and John immigrated to Richards Bay from Scotland. John was employed by Mondi and Maureen opened the Wool and Craft shop. They anticipated that it would be a family business and a source of income to rely on when John had retired. That is exactly how the plans worked out as ten years ago John retired and joined Maureen in the business. Together they would open the shop at 8.30am every morning. John usually sat behind the counter and enjoyed chatting to customers while Maureen, who was disabled, took a spin around town in her scooter. She enjoyed shopping and having breakfast at many different restaurants at the Boardwalk Inkwazi Shopping Centre. Despite their old age John was very romantic. Once a week the ‘love birds’ would have a date night and John would ‘wine and dine’ Maureen at any restaurant of her choice. John was an avid stamp collector and Maureen, who was widely known as the shopper on the scooter, will forever be remembered by a host of family and friends that they have left behind.