Pulham’s celebrates 25 years

Assuring a warm welcome to Pulham’s Furniture and Carpet, Col and Karen Pulham and staff members Helen Nicholls (left) and Lisa Curram (right)

IT IS 25 years since Colin and Karen Pulham started Pulham’s Furniture and Carpet in Foster’s main street.

A quarter century later the business is still go- ing strong, and this week the Pulhams will be cel- ebrating – and custom- ers are invited to join in!

Come along to the store on Thursday or Fri- day of this week for spe- cials galore. There will be balloons and lollies for kids, 25 per cent off manchester, $25 spe- cials, every 25th cus- tomer will receive a free gift, and customers spending $25 or more will go into the running to win a bedding pack- age.

That’s not all. Anyone who spends $25 or more on T attslotto will have free entry into a compe- tition to win a $25 scratchie pack. One win- ner will be drawn each day – Wednesday (to- day), Thursday and Friday.

“There will be lots of other great specials and prizes – plus, of course, birthday cake!” said Karen.

She is delighted that the business which she and Col bought back in 1985 has gone from strength to strength, and is keen to thank the peo- ple of the Corner Inlet district who have sup- ported Pulham’s over the years with their cus- tom.

Pulham’s has given a good start to numerous school-aged children, including Karen and Col’s own three – Hayley, Jessica and Matt – over the years, employ- ing them in the shop af- ter school.

Matt Pulham com- pleted his carpet-laying apprenticeship there and, after launching his own business, has now become a highly sought- after subcontractor, lay- ing carpets for Pulham’s and numerous other businesses.

Karen is an enthusias- tic member of Foster Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a strong believer in the importance of a town like Foster offering a diverse range of stores – and lots of friendly service – to encourage people to shop locally.

She said the growing popularity of coastal towns such as Sandy Point and Waratah Bay had also contributed enormously to Pulham’s trade, with summer holi- daymakers flocking into Foster to shop or stop- ping at the town on their way through to the beach.

For its first 12 months Pulham’s was part of the Pattersons Furniture Stores franchise, but Col and Karen quickly built up sufficient business to go out on their own, and their independence has continued to this day.

“We really appreciate the wonderful staff we have had over the years. They have helped make the business what it is today,” Karen said.

Furniture, carpet, bed- ding and T attslotto have formed the backbone of the business from the start. What was initially a small range of manchester has built up over the years, and Pulham’s also sells cur- tains, vinyls, blinds, awnings and much more. The store is the local agency for V/Line buses, so you can book tickets and collect time- tables here.

“We offer one of the largest ranges of manchester east of Mel- bourne at prices that beat the best,” said Col.

“Curtains, blinds and awnings in a wide range of colours and styles are expertly measured and fitted – we offer a free measure and quote serv- ice to suit our custom- ers.”

“We have access to a huge range of carpets, window coverings, furni- ture and decorator items that can turn a house into a home. Our relation- ships with our suppliers mean our prices are competitive, but more importantly our before and after sales service is impeccable. What we don’t have in the store can be sourced and de- livered in a timeframe that suits our clients,” said Karen.

She remarked that it was interesting to note how colours and styles have gone full circle, with many of the styles popular 25 years ago now back in vogue!

Pulham’s Furniture and Carpet is located at 13 Main Street, Foster. The 25th birthday cel- ebrations will be in full swing tomorrow and Fri- day, so make sure you pop in and help cel- ebrate the success of a business that prides it- self on being local and independent, with Col and Karen and their friendly staff.

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