In the 50th year of business for McCathies Furniture Plus, third generation owners, Rob and Kari Ravizza, still reflect the 1974 values of Jack and Millie McCathie in their operations.
The Golden Anniversary marks half a century of providing high quality service to the Burdekin region and beyond, with Kari and her team delivering wonderful pieces of furniture all along the East Coast.
“We are passionate about the Burdekin and support the local and wider community in every way we can,” said Kari.
In 1974, Kari’s grandparents, Jack and Millie McCathie established the Ayr Secondhand Dealers. Well-known names in the Burdekin region, the pair had introduced many successful businesses to the town including the Supreme Taxi Service, Mac’s Milk Bar, Mac’s Ayr Toyland, McCathies Real Estate, and McCathie & Jones Travel Agency.
In 1978, Kari’s parents, John and Lyndy McCathie, relocated Ayr Secondhand Dealers from its original location, where Burdekin Motors stands today, to its current space a few blocks down at 262 Queen Street. Operating out of a larger establishment, the business sold unique pieces of furniture crafted by the Endeavour Foundation alongside second-hand items carefully sourced by John.
1998 saw Ayr Secondhand Dealers shift into a retailer of new furniture under numerous variations of business names, all under the McCathie title. In 2013, Kari and Rob relocated back home to the Burdekin and became the new partners in the business, now known as McCathies Furniture Plus.
“The plus means a lot of things, and it’s a running joke having a plus of the day, with it being the occasional goanna wrangling, or dressing up a life-size baby elephant out the front of the shop, but our amazing staff and customers are always my favorite plus,” said Kari.
Withstanding decades of change in the Burdekin region, it’s the support of the community looking local first, and the dedicated work of Kari, Rob and their team that have allowed McCathies Furniture Plus to grow into a business able to source exclusive furniture ranges and stand out from chain-stores.
“While we may have started all those years ago as second-hand dealers, we are proud of the high quality, and great value new furniture ranges we have both in-store and on our website,” said Kari.
“If you haven’t been in for a while, it’s definitely time you checked us out in store or online, as we’d love to help you with your new furniture and bedding needs.”
To reflect this tremendous golden anniversary, Kari and her team warmly invite you to join them at McCathies Furniture Plus on the evening of Thursday, February 8 to enjoy bubbles, memories, and Cheers to 50 Years.
Every customer from Thursday, February 8 to Thursday, February 15 will get $50 in McCathies Money to spend in-store during that week, while there will also be a $500 gift voucher hidden in store for one lucky customer to find.
Three Generations – Lyndy McCathie holding Murphy the dog, Kari Ravizza and Rob Ravizza holding a photo of Millie and Jack McCathie and John McCathie
The framework going up for the big shed
Aunty Janice Jones-Davies cutting the ribbon at the opening of big shed
McCathies Furniture Plus at 262 Queen Street, Ayr
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