For the last 19 years locals and tourists alike have visited Trevor’s photo shop on the Gold Coast Highway in Burleigh. Once the biggest drawcard on the street, with long lines of people waiting to pick up their photos, the digital age has seen the business slow considerably in recent years.
In spite of Trevor’s long time tenure and good standing, his landlord will not allow him to renew his lease. A nearby, upmarket pizzeria is due to expand into Trevor’s vacated shop space.
Without a lease Trevor is unable to sell his business and the dwindling demand for photo processing make the cost of shop fitting a new location completely impractical. At the end of July he will be forced to walk away virtually empty handed after nearly two decades.
To make matters worse Trevor has been hospitalised with a mystery illness since mid-June, forcing him to close his doors for the last three weeks.
Local business owners have rallied around the popular shopkeeper, calling on the local community for support. Catriona Hallas, co-owner of neighbouring Hotstuff Surfboards, has even organised a raffle and fundraising event for Trevor.
“Trevor has owned and operated Burleigh Photos/Fuji 1 hour in Burleigh for almost 20 years, and is possibly the most well known and loved local personality in the precinct. His friendly, humble and helpful manner has made this so – nothing is ever too much trouble for Trev. Now it’s our turn to give something back,” Catriona said.
Times are tough for everyone at the moment, but the local Burleigh businesses have come together and donated over $5,000 worth of goods and services as prizes to be raffled off on the 24th of July at Wahoo’s Fish Taco Restaurant. Entry is free and open to everyone wanting to support a Burleigh icon.
Catriona is urging locals and business owners in the area to help out in any way they can; purchasing or selling raffle tickets, donating goods, or simply showing support at the fundraising evening. Proceeds go to Trevor, ensuring he doesn’t walk away with absolutely nothing.
“We want Trevor to know that there is an incredible amount of love and goodwill for him in the local community, and wanted him to be able to walk away with something after all his years in business,” Catriona said.
You can check out the growing list of prizes on offer at the End of an Era for Burleigh Photo Shop Facebook page, pledge your support and find out all the details for the fundraising evening.