Mark Schreuder and his partner Georgina Howe handed over the keys to new owners Derek and Merlene Cox this month, bringing to an end 11 years of service.

Mr Schreuder said the time was right to make a change.

“The store has done its job for us and now we just want to have a break and relax,” he said.

“When we first took over, we said we would do it for five years and then move on, so we’ve managed to exceed that.

“For the most part, we stuck to our plan.” 

The retiring couple are the longest owners of the shop, having been at the helm for more than half of its 18-year history.

While he has lived in George Town for most of his life, Mr Schreuder was working at the now defunct Thistle Street takeaway shop in Launceston prior to taking charge of the Macquarie Street store.

The 50-year-old said he and his partner had taken the good with the bad throughout their tenure.

“Most of the customers we had were great, but there were definitely a few that weren’t,” he said.

“Since we announced we were selling the store, we’ve had lots of thank you cards and people wishing us well, which has been nice.

“The people who will miss us are the ones who we will also miss.”

It’s a journey that is only just beginning for Derek and Merlene Cox, who officially took the reigns on Monday, August 13.

The couple moved back to George Town six years ago after spending time on the state’s West Coast, where Mr Cox was working in the mines.

He said the shop was a refreshing new direction after more than two decades in the mining industry.

“I was looking for something different and my wife has done a bit of hospitality before,” he said.

It’s been pretty hectic learning the ropes throughout our first week, but we are definitely enjoying it.”

George Town Takeaway is at 85 Macquarie Street.