History

Founders Evan and Sue Crick had previously managed family owned Hotels in Melbourne and were keen to start their own local business. After surveying the market, they recognized a need for quality timber, building supplies & hardware supplier in Torquay.

In 1983 Ash Wednesday destroyed an enormous number of homes on the Surf coast, increasing the need for a combined timber & hardware supplier. Land measuring 2000 square metres was purchased from Geelong Regional Commission in April 1984 and Building commenced. As money was reasonably tight, the first hardware shop and timber shed measuring 300 square metres was built during weekends and after hours by Evan, with a lot of help from friends and acquaintances.

Surfside Timber was opened on 14/10/1984. Early days were a struggle, as many trades people were not in the habit of purchasing their materials locally and many of the home makers were used to going to Geelong for their needs. A lot of work was needed to prove to customers that we could supply them with what they needed at a competitive price.

For the first three years, Sue and a team of two staff ran the business, whilst Evan to keep food on the table, continued to sell carpet as a Freelance Agent. As business grew Evan was able to leave his carpet sales job and join Sue full time at Surfside Timber.

In 1988 Surfside Timber joined the Mitre 10 group and was renamed Torquay Mitre 10. Evan says that: “From that moment on business accelerated and we’ve never really have never looked back.”

The business has seen many changes with the growing needs of the Surf coast community. In late 1980s a Carpet and Furniture business was added but after two years, the need to expand the timber & building supplies offer became so great that this part of the business was disbanded and the area given over to timber.

The business has seen a number of expansions and renovations over the years, and today the business operates from land measuring approx 5500 m2 and buildings covering approx 1000 M2 and a team of staff in excess of 20.

Customer service has always been and always will be the main focus. While Torquay Mitre 10 prides itself on being very price competitive, 60% of their customers are trades people, they believe that there is far more to a good retail operation than just the cheapest price, so enormous attention is placed on friendly service, prompt attention to customer needs as well as clean, tidy and well presented merchandising.

Because of their attention to detail and good merchandising skills, along the way with Mitre 10 they have taken out a number or Prestigious Awards such as “Best First Year Store”, “Most Consistent Member” and in 2001 “Mitre 10 Store of the Year” for Victoria Tasmania.

Over the years they have developed a number of Loyalty Programs such as their Garden Program, the My Patch Club as well as the brand new Trade Express Loyalty Card. Other activities conducted are regular Breakfasts for the trades people, Ladies Nights etc.

Both Evan & Sue agree that while it has been a hard slog, it has been extremely enjoyable and they could not have had the success with Torquay Mitre 10 if it had not been for the support of some fantastic staff and a large number of very loyal customers.

We believe that a Business should not just set up and operate in a town. Sue and Evan from day one, set about building a business that had a strong involvement with the community, and a strong empathy with the people within that community. Torquay Mitre 10 has definitely succeeded in doing that.

Another tremendous community involvement has been being part of the Mitre 10 Junior Landcare Program. This program is aimed at junior schools and the youth of today to get them involved in Landcare projects and teaching them to care for our very Fragile Environment. Through this program the business has been successful in seeing a total of five grants being awarded to local Schools and groups in the Torquay, Anglesea and Aireys Inlet areas.

Also a huge part of Evan’s community involvement was his term of twelve years as a member of the Torquay Public Reserves Committee of Management. For nine of those years, Evan served as Chairperson and was the instigator and presided over the formation of the extremely successful Torquay Public Reserves Masterplan, which has seen some fabulous results.

This all adds up to a great local business with an extremely strong customer and Community focus.

Our motto says it all.

“ Low Prices – Great Service – End of Story”