IN the early 1970s, Geoff O’Hara established Homecrafts in Moree – the town’s new electrical appliance store – next door to the Criterion Hotel on Balo Street.

The store was an offshoot of the Malvern Star Store, managed by Geoff, in the same location.

Geoff and long-serving employees, Margaret Hobday and television tech Allan Dobbs, offered Moree residents the latest in electrical wizardry and gadgetry, including the new-fangled microwave ovens everyone was raving about and colour televisions. Yes, colour.

Business boomed and soon the premises were too small.

In 1984, a couple of years after the pub next door became the Criterion Centre, Geoff moved everything across and rebranded the new premises, Geoff O’Hara Electrical Discounts – part of the Betta Electrical group – and a local retail institution was born.

Geoff and Margaret were joined by ace salesman, Kevin Katon, and the premises were again extended to allow more stock and bigger showroom displays.

The microwaves became smaller, but the fridges and televisions got bigger, so still more room was needed.

Wind the calendar forward 40 years and Geoff’s son, Steve, and his wife Casey, proudly continue the family retailing tradition.

Steve and Casey relocated to their current premises at 20 Balo Street 10 years ago – the old Mellors building – and still trade as Geoff O’Hara Electrical Discounts, part of the huge Furniture Zone buying group.

“Dad managed the old Malvern Star Store for many years and that morphed into Homecrafts in the later days, up until 1984,” Steve said.

“The shop in the Criterion Arcade was renamed Geoff O’Hara Electrical Discounts and we’ve kept that name right through – we’ve never changed it.

“When we started doing rentals in 2012, we were still a member of buying groups like Retravision.

“We later joined Leading Appliances, from which we bought stock for our rental arm of the business, and we’re now a member of Furniture Zone and Betta Electrical,” he said.

“Dad never retailed in furniture, and it’s something we’ve added in recent years. Last year, when we decided to get back into retailing full-on, we thought we’d do furniture as well – furniture and electrical appliances are a good combination,” Steve said.

Steve and Casey, with staff Bec Baker and Sam Foote, have Geoff O’Hara Electrical Discounts chock-full of Christmas gift ideas – they’re in the Zone.

The store specialises in furniture, bedding and manchester, as well as electrical appliances such as televisions, fridges, washing machines, dryers and dishwashers.

All the big-brand names are there, including Sleepmaker, Sleepezee, Hisense and LG.

“We also have mobility assistance items such as lift chairs, made by Theorem, and electric, adjustable beds,” Casey said.

Theorem Power Lift Recliners are a functional and fashionable addition to any living room.

“There are many inclusions, including lay-flat positioning, power lumbar support, hidden cup holders and even smart device charging,” Casey said.

Steve offers free, same-day, local deliveries.

“We can deliver the same day the goods are purchased, or the next day at the very latest,” he said.

Geoff O’Hara Electrical Discounts is also the agency for SOS Phone Repairs.

Every Tuesday, technician Geoff Wilkinson sets up shop and carries out mobile, tablet and PC repairs.

Cracked battery replacements, iPhone screens, Galaxy screens, Sony screens, and repairs to internal parts for iPhones and iPads, Samsung phones and tablets, and Sony phones are a specialty.

Steve and Casey are part of the Moree Chamber of Commerce Spend to Spin & Win promotion, launched on December 2.

“Customers who spend $50 or more up until Saturday, December 14, have the chance to spin for a share of more than $20,000 in prizes,” Casey said.

Spin dates are scheduled for December 7 and 14.

“We’ll also be open for Thursday night shopping up until Christmas, with plenty of gift ideas and gift vouchers,” she said.

Geoff O’Hara Electrical Discounts & Furniture Zone

Address: 20 Balo Street, Moree

Trading: Monday to Friday 9am until 5pm, Saturdays 9am until midday, with extended Thursday night Christmas trading.

Phone: 6752 4276

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.furniturezone.com.au/stores/sg-ohara-furniture-zone-electrical-moree

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeoffOHaraElectricalDiscounts

SOS Phone Repairs

Phone: 0428 121150

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SOSMoree