30/04/2025
A message from Sandy & Tony to our many valued customers and friends … and right from the outset, please accept our apologies for the length of this post …
To paraphrase “Pooh Bear” - "How lucky we are to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard" …
Although a number of you have known for a little while now, it is with a heavy heart and massively mixed emotions that we formally announce that after 36 odd years under the ownership of our family, we are stepping back from our bricks and mortar store and have now sold our ‘little’ bottleshop … today (30 April) is officially our last day of trade but fear not, it will continue to be business as usual with the new owners retaining Donna & Christian (as manager) who will remain here in-store … moving forward we will be making the occasional cameo as well for Sandy’s Hampers etc. will be remaining here as well …
We must say that in our 21 odd years of owning the store it has been an absolute pleasure to be part of the business community that serve the people of Valentine and surrounds …
Firstly we have to give a huge heartfelt thank you to everyone who has worked for us over the years … from Lennie & Ailsa, Matt, Greg, Kyle, Cassie & Alex through to Tanya, Beth, Bruce, Sharon, Su, Donna & Christian … indeed all of you have contributed immensely to the success that is now Sessions at Valentine … we will be forever grateful …
Next, we must thank all our supplier companies, their BDM’S & sales representatives who have supported our little business during our time here … there are far, far too many to name individually but we are deeply indebted to you all for the assistance, support and friendship each and every one of you have afforded to us during this time …
And lastly but certainly by no means least; words have no way of adequately describing the sincere and heartfelt gratitude we have for the support given to us by all of you, the local community of Valentine and surrounding suburbs for your ongoing support of our business over these years … if not for you there would certainly be no Sessions at Valentine as it operates today …
A lot has occurred over these 21 odd years … we’ve weathered a pandemic together … we have joyously witnessed a great many young ones come into this world (many of whom are now of legal age) and most sadly of all we’ve seen far too many friends depart it as well … many, many new customers have moved into God’s country and called us their new ‘local’ whilst an equal number have moved away, embarking on their next exciting chapter in life … we’ve seen changes within our industry reflected by changes within our community … and we’re proud of the fact that we have been able to contribute in a small way to the fabric of the local community by supporting a number of local efforts in charity fundraising and where we’ve been able to do so, give some support to local sporting teams/clubs etc. … not forgetting the fact that we’ve also been able to organise the attendance of Santa Claus to attend various goings on within the community at Christmas time (Sandy after all has his direct number) !!! We have immensely enjoyed our time here in Valentine …
THE FUTURE : Moving forward the new owners are planning some exciting changes to the store which we ourselves are looking forward to witness … so PLEASE … watch this space … it will be well worth it !!!
In closing, it is indeed the people we will miss the most … it has been one of our life’s pleasures to have been considered part of this community for a time and to have formed the relationships we have with our customers over the years … we are taking with us many wonderful memories so really all that we can say now is “Goodbye, Fairwell & Amen” … wishing each and every one of you all of the very best for a successful, healthy and joyous future … S & T …
