OATENS TURNS 50

after the HSC,” said Mark.

“From there it went up to the top end of Kyogle and then one of his mates told Dad about a place at Casino Fair there was a big open space.

“That would have been in the mid-1980s.”

By 1987 Oatens moved into the shop they are currently occupying in Canterbury Street, which at the time was only half the size it is today.

“He bought this building off the Aarons Brothers who ran Barry Aarons Motors,” said Mark.

Mark said moving to Casino was the next step.

“Just getting into a bigger populated area which allowed us to expand the business, more staff, more product,” he said.

Timeline

1973 | Bill & Colleen opened the Kyogle Appliance Centre, selling electrical appliances.

1979 | The business expanded into furniture

1979 | Moved business to the Roxy Theatre building in Geneva Street.

Bill owned the Roxy for about 5 years.

1980 | Opens a store at Casino Fair in Walker Street.

W.A. OATEN PTY LTD - trading as Oaten’s

1980 | Bill was joined by his older brother, Earl who lived in Casino.

1981 | Mark (second child), joined his father in the family business after finishing school.

1983 | Moved the Casino store from Casino Fair to 150-152 Canterbury Street Casino

1984 | Moved the store in Kyogle from the Roxy to the Main St in Kyogle

1987 | The Kyogle business was moved completely to the Casino.

1989 | Bill and Colleen bought the land and building at 150-152 Canterbury Street Casino

2003 | A major remodelling project doubled the showroom floor to 2000m2 making Oaten’s home to one of the largest displays of fine furniture and quality household goods from Port Macquarie to Tweed Heads.

2023 | Celebrate 50 years of business

“We outgrew this place in 2003 and actually did an extension, doubled the size.”

Oatens have taken on many different product providers including Carpet Court, Beds R