9 October 2024 | East Gippsland News Weekend ADVERTISEMENT Authorised by Suzanne Davies, 2166 Gelantipy Road, WTree VIC 3885 East Gippsland Shire [20] WHITE, John [11] ASHWORTH, Jodie [8] JOHN, Jes [9] NICHOL, Aly [12] CURTIS, Valerie [22] BURY, Clive [7] JAKOBI, Cheryl [23] BUCKLEY, Sonia [1] DAVIES, Suzanne [16] REEVES, Mark [21] TREVASKIS, Ian [3] IRELAND, Judy [15] COATES, Janice [2] CROOK, Tom [19] FARQUHAR, Bernie [18] DAVIS, Barry [10] KRUSE, Sasha [4] COLUMBUS, Steven [17] ALLEN, Authur [5] STEPHENSON, Matt [13] NICHOLAS, James [6] BADY, Susie [14] EASTMAN, Joanne Suzanne Davies VOTE 1 Caring East Gippsland East Gippsnad Newspapers: It's great to catch up with Joe Calvi from Joe Calvi's Fine Furniture for a coffee and chat on 40 years in business. JOE CALVI: Thanks for having me, it's been a great journey. EGN: How do you like your coffee, Joe? JC: White for me. EGN: You have a huge array of stock over a lot floor space here Joe. How did it all begin? JC: We started in this shop in 1991, well a little section of it, and as businesses have disappeared from around us, we have continued to expand and grow. Buying more furniture to fill up the shop as we go while continuing to manufacture our own product. We now have the biggest furniture showroom from Sale to the New South Wales border. EGN: You began in Lindenow? JC: Back in 1984, October 4. I started making cupboards, kitchens and some furniture under the Joe Calvi Cabinets banner, converted to Joe Calvi Fine Furniture about five years later. EGN: Were you a cabinet maker? JC: Self-taught, with an eye for detail and a desire to perfect the product. If you wouldn't buy it, don't sell it. When business began to pick up, we made the move into town. EGN: Did you think you would be still going after 40 years? JC: Definitely not, it's been a gradual succession and building on what we have created. EGN: What did you do prior to furniture Joe? JC: Worked at the axe handle manufacturing factory in Lindenow South. I was there for two years, wanted to try and get an apprenticeship, but it ended up closing. When I was there, I was actually making Victorian style doors that you see in the old fashion houses. EGN: Have you always had a fascination with that sort of thing? JC: Timber and furniture, yes. EGN: Where did you grow up? JC: Out at Woodglen on a farm, Mum and Dad milked cows. When I got married, I moved into Lindenow and I still live there now. EGN: How has the furniture game changed over the years? JC: In the old days there was lot of Australian made furniture. There were a lot of manufacturers in Melbourne and other places, most have closed down. People are wanting raw stuff and they can't get it because those guys are long gone. EGN: Overseas furniture is popular? JC: A lot of this stuff is now coming from China and Indonesia, and everything seems to be finished. So, you can't get your colour of choice unless you find one of the existing Australia made companies that will actually Coffee Joe with make to order. EGN: Now we are sourcing more from overseas, does it affect quality? JC: Not really and if it can't stand the test of time, I wouldn't stock it, you don't need the hassle of returns, a happy customer returns. EGN: What sort of things do you currently stock Joe? JC: Most things. Lounges, beds (including adjustable), lift chairs, tables, bookshelves, car, office and outdoor furniture. And plenty more. EGN: Do you still make furniture? JC: We do have a Hampden range which we source and make to order, which no one else in the marketplace is doing. It's two toned, painted in chestnut or ash. The dressers are probably the most popular item in store presently. There's also a table top range that we can finish off the base to match our range. There's six different top and base options. EGN: The new sporting coloured bench seats catch the eye. JC: Yes, they are becoming popular. EGN: What else is popular Joe? JC: The theatre lounges with the adjustable lumber and head rests. Ideal for people with a dodgy back. EGN: Do people prefer leather or fabric? JC: You get runs between leather and fabrics. EGN: You go to Melbourne and pick up your furniture? JC: We do try to keep the prices down and that's one way we can save. Usually go once or twice a fortnight. EGN: I see the truck out and about regularly. JC: People taking advantage of the free local delivery and it also lets us get the furniture to the customer in perfect condition. EGN: Do people sometimes have to wait for orders? JC: Look there can be a six-month wait on some overseas furniture, while the Australian stuff can take up to eight weeks. We generally have good stock on hand but when people want something specific, they are usually happy to wait. EGN: Is business constant or are there troughs and booms? JC: It's pretty constant here. Over the years, people get to know that when they shop at Joe Calvi Fine Furniture, they are getting something of good value. EGN: How many people work here Joe? JC: Three with a couple of part timers, when we need. EGN: Any plans to further expand the shop? JC: Happy with the current arrangement at present, I'm keen to just focus on continuing to serve the local people. EGN: Have you ever thought about doing those lunatic ads on television the competition rolls out? JC: I could always try but I think I will just stick with what I know. Look after the customer, be courteous and give them what they need. Let the furniture do the talking. EGN: Repeat business is important. JC: Yes, and also support from the same families. In some cases, three generations of sales. EGN: What do you do when you're not here Joe? JC: My dad's passed away, so I like to get out to the farm and help my mum. She's 82 and loves doing her gardening, flowers and veggies. I help her out when she needs a hand. EGN: You have lived in this region your whole life; how do you think Bairnsdale is going as a town? JC: Always concerns me that businesses are closing and there are empty shops, people need to continue too shop locally, the internet has made online sales way too attractive. What we have needs to be promoted, it's the local businesses that make it a town. EGN: Let's finish with some quick questions. Favourite food? JC: Scotch fillet. EGN: Speciality dish? JC: An omelette with ham, cheese, salami and bacon. EGN: Does pineapple belong on a pizza? JC: No. EGN: Go-to pizza? JC: Aussie with mushrooms and prawns. EGN: Roast of choice? JC: Pork. EGN: Favourite TV show? JC: NCIS. EGN: Favourite movie? JC: Star Wars. EGN: Who would play Joe Calvi in a movie? JC: Danny Devito. EGN: AFL team? JC: Richmond. EGN: If you could have a drink with three people from any point of in time – celebrities, friends or family, who would you choose? JC: Richard Brandson, Ron Barassi and John Howard. EGN: Great choices, it's been a pleasure Joe, I wish you another 40 years of great business. JC: I hope so, let's aim for 50 for a start. Delivering from Lakes Entrance to Warragul. Check out our Facebook for monthly specials, price lists and Delivery daYS
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