Parr’s say farewell, ending a long tradition
Parr’s Bakery at East Ballina Shopping Centre will trade for the last time on Thursday, 7th June, bringing to an end a tradition of nearly three decades of baking in the Ballina/Lennox Head area by the Parr family.
The business will be taken over by the Bailey family.
Parr’s Bakery was first opened in Ballina’s River Street in 1978 by Murray Parr and his father Brian.
They moved to Lennox Head a few years later to establish the Lennox Head Bakery, the first bakery in what was then a small village.
In 1992 Murray, along with wife Angela, opened Ballina Fair Bakery, at the southern entrance to Ballina Fair. This business was later relocated to within the Fair to become Parr’s Pies & Pastries.
Meanwhile Brian & Shirley Parr took over a small bakery at East Ballina Shopping Centre, renaming it Pop’s Bakery.
Murray and Angela bought this business fom Murray’s parents in March 2000, after the sale of their bakery in Ballina Fair.
Pop’s Bakery was renamed Parr’s Bakery in 2005, and continued to be known by this name to the present time.
Over the years the Parr family provided employment for scores of young people, often in their first position of employment.
The sound training and strong work ethic they were taught by the Parr family no doubt put them in good stead for the rest of their working lives.
Many locals became loyal staff members, often staying for many years to either bake for or serve their adoring customers.
Three of Murray and Angela’s four children have all worked in the family business. Mitchell (the eldest) was employed full-time, before joining RAAF in South Australia, whilst Madison and Fletcher both worked in the bakery in a part-time capacity whilst still studying at school.
Over the years Murray and Angela have won a swag of awards for all aspects of their business. Most recently in the 2006 Ballina Business Awards, they were awarded runner-uUp for ‘Customer Service’ and finalist for ‘Best Small Business’.
In the 2006 North Coast National Bread Show they were named ‘Most Successful Bread Exhibitor’, winning ‘Regional Champion’.
They also won the ‘Mover and Shaker’ award from Action International Business Coaching, based in Sydney, as well as again being awarded Silver in the Great Aussie Meat Pie Competition.
The bakery ’s motto of ‘Great Service, Great Taste’ has been a most accurate description, as Brian and Shirley, along with Murray and Angela, created businesses whose reputation for excellent service and high quality products extended well beyond the Ballina Shire.
In their 29 years of trade they sponsored countless sporting teams and donated thousands of dollars to various local charities and organisations.
The Parr Family wish to thank all their customers for their many years of loyalty, but say it’s now time to hang up the aprons and let someone else take over.
They welcome the Bailey family to East Ballina Bakery and wish them all the very best for the future.
PICTURE: Murray and Anglea with their loyal staff.
