THIS Sunday, exactly 17 years since they walked through the doors as owners of the Myrtleford Newsagency, Greg and Belinda Knoble are passing the baton to the next friendly face; Greg’s brother, Mark. For Greg, a plumber and maintenance man, taking on a business was a new challenge and one he embraced. “It was something different, the hardest part was becoming computer literate,” he said. “It was a huge change but the relationships I made with customers and reps alike were definitely a highlight of my time here. “I was able to grow personal relation skills and learn to be patient and it was great to do something more to do with people than hands on work. “I will miss it but I'm relieved also; I've been running two businesses and now I'll get some more time with family and hopefully relax a bit. “More time for fishing.” When the local couple took over the shop, Belinda was busy looking after their 18 month old daughter, Matilda. “I was in and out over the years; we took over when our eldest young and we had Molly in the second year,” she said. “It was great to see Greg really enjoy it because he’s a real people person and loves talking to anyone. “That’s the thing we’ll miss the most; the community connection and our relations we’ve established with different customers. “We’ve lost customers along the way and you do go through the emotions of that; it's a real community business. “I am excited to be handing it over to Mark and I’m happy its staying with local people. “After 17 years it’s well and truly time for us to go and I’m looking forward to having some time to ourselves and just enjoying family life. As of Sunday, Mark Knoble will officially be the new face of the business, but he isn’t a stranger to the town. “I grew up in Myrtleford and my family and I are looking forward to moving back after living in Wangaratta for almost 10 years,” he said. “We want to come back for the rivers, hills and mountains and we just love the small community feel. “I’ve worked retail for the last three years here as well as part time delivery man and shop assistant in the newsagency. “When Greg was struggling to sell my wife encouraged me to take a risk and do something for myself. “I used to be very highly organised so this will be good for those skills to return after spending some time trying to be less regimented. “I’m confident I have the ability to do it and we have terrific workers in the shop with great experience. "We’re looking forward to being members of a small community again and providing a service to locals, businesses, schools and sporting clubs. “One of the workers said to me one day “every small town needs a newsagency” “For some, it might be their only outing for the day to go to the newsagency and supermarket so having a welcoming place to go for them to connect to the town is important for us.”
