1977 was a life-changing year for Will Wolfenbuttel.
He had been working in Melbourne as a draftsman for some years and was wondering why he was doing it.
Lionel Byles, of King & Heath Lakes Entrance, pointed out a bait shop had just been declared bankrupt. Will decided to purchase it and make the move.
Then, on December 10 of the same year, Will married Elizabeth.
For the next 42 years they built up a successful bait and tackle business together.
Recently he asked himself, “I am 65, when do I stop doing something I love and give myself time for all the other things in life?”
So Will has decided to put away the working tackle box and retire.
The good news for Lakes Entrance is that it won’t be the case of another shop closing.
Will and Elizabeth’s son, Nicholas, is moving back from Cairns, with his wife Sylvia, and their nine-month-old son, Caleb, to run the business.
So, as from Monday, July 8, exactly 42 years to the day, Will now finally has time for all those other things that make up his life.
Will enthused that he will now have time to do all the odd jobs around the house he needs to catch up on, but most importantly, spend time with his three grandchildren.
One grandson is very excited to go fishing with his grandfather and has made a list of all the things they can now do together.
Over the past 42 years at East Gippsland Bait & Tackle, the Wolfenbuttels have seen a lot of shops come and go.
“I think landlords have to be more flexible and understanding to the struggles of small business,” Elizabeth said.
“Over the years the income from the shop has got progressively smaller.
“It is financially very seasonal in Lakes Entrance and if you are prepared to work hard and put the hours in, it can be rewarding, but these days there are so many more competitors and challenges. You have to be innovative.”
When the bait shop first opened it was very much about selling live bait. The hours were long as fishermen had to have fresh bait.
Now they can buy their lures preserved or frozen bait at their leisure.
“We have been getting our bait off Roger Smith the whole time we have been here. He has moved with the times and now cures the sandworm at his property,” Will said.
The pair’s busiest times were when the area was known as the Victorian Riviera. Fishermen would come from everywhere according to Will.
“Now there are more big game fishermen coming in and for the first time there was a run of squid down near the footbridge for a few months,” he said.
“I sold so many squid traps during that time – you just have to go with the seasons.”
PICTURED: After 42 years of business, Will and Elizabeth Wolfenbuttel have retired from running East Gippsland Bait & Tackle.
