Saying goodbye is never easy, but the owners of the Tasmanian Copper and Metal Art Gallery have decided it is time to do just that.
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The gallery was established by Tom Marik's father, Mirek, when he moved from New South Wales to Westbury in 1977 and purchased the building known as Archer's Folly at Carrick.
Unfortunately, the building suffered an electrical fire in 1978 which gutted the place and destroyed artworks, tools, collections, and artefacts.
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The building was not insured, but luckily the family was in the process of building a home next door. That home also became the new gallery and is where the business has resided ever since.
Mr Marik met his wife, Gail, in 1994 and they were married in 1995. In 2000, Mirek died from cancer aged 55.
Mr Marik resigned from his job to take on his father's legacy. From there, he and Ms Marik grew the business and though they both had other work, many long hours and weekends were spent at the gallery.
"Being a small business you always had your ups and downs. Some weeks would be profitable and other weeks wouldn't," he said.
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Mr Marik said when he took over the business, he helped grow it by implementing technology such as more up-to-date tools and creating an online presence.
However, the COVID-19 lockdown gave the pair the time to reflect, and they realised they wanted to slow down.
"The big thing for us as well was there was no Agfest that year and there was no craft fair and they are the two events that keep us going and build up the account for the winter period," Mr Marik said.
"It was a very hard decision and I spoke to my mother about it. She said, 'great idea, it was your dad's passion and you took it on'. They were all amazed I took it on because it was dad's thing.
"I'm just a bit tired, nearly 22 years I've been doing it and I just feel like a change."
The couple is excited to lighten their workloads and enjoy some of the other things life has to offer including fishing, caravaning, learning guitar, and cultivating a vegetable patch.
"But at the same time, I'm going to keep a normal little welder and I can tinker in my shed occasionally," Mr Marik said.
The pair wanted to thank all their past employees, loyal customers, and friends and family who had supported them and contributed to the business over the years.
A closing down sale will be held from 10am-4pm daily from October 1-17, with items up to 50 per cent off. Doors will officially close on October 24.
However, the pair will still be at the Tasmanian Craft Fair, Gardenfest, and Evandale Market until the stock is sold.
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