Brae Neuk Pallet Furniture has opened its doors at 9 Marsden Street, which sees a growing business come to a growing town.
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Business owners Angus and Karen Mitchell aim to produce beautiful and affordable furniture out of recycled pallets and reclaimed wood.
The pair have lived in Boorowa for almost three years since Angus retired in 2014, with the furniture production beginning after the completion of their house.
“We wanted a country life that was still close to a city, so we built our house here,” they said.
“There were pallets left over from building the house, so we decided to make a children's play set and basically that’s where it all started.
“Then we made a range of rustic affordable furniture made from pallets and reclaimed timber and started off doing the rounds at the markets, Hall, Murrumbateman, Cowra, Bathurst,” they said.
The local businesses and community have been great ... so we want to give something back.
- Angus and Karen Mitchell
During this time both Angus and Karen said they received a lot of interest in their work.
“We were doing really well and it (the business) was growing so we decided, when the opportunity came up, to open up our little shop,” they said.
“It’s mainly our hobby, but we run it as a small business, the aim is to produce furniture at a reasonable price so everyone can access it.
“Because this is our hobby we don’t need to charge that much, we don’t want to make millions so interest in the furniture is huge,” they said.
The pair said most of their customers were looking for odd pieces that can’t be bought.
“Everyone looks at our existing stock but we mainly get custom orders, like tables to fit small corners, bed heads, day beds, dog bowls and privacy screens,” they said.
“People give us the measurement and we build it, we can deliver, and we offer lay-by, gift certificates and have eftpos.
“Just come in 9am to 4pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday or message us on Facebook and Instagram,” they said.
It’s not all about them though, the pair thanked the local community for embracing them and have set up a donation system to support local organisations.
“The local businesses and community have been great, they all tell us how pleased they are to have a new business open up, so we want to give something back,” they said.
“We have a token system where, when people make a purchase they get a token for it, and that token goes into the a jar of their choice that represents a local organisation.
“At the moment on offer is the Hospital Auxiliary, the Junior Rugby League Club and the Central School, so at the end of the year we’ll tally that up and donate $1 to each of those organisations for each token they have.
“Then next year the organisations will change, it’s not a lot, but we want to give back to the community,” they said.
The store also sells a number of home wares and locally made toys alongside Karen’s artworks which decorate the store.
Brae Neuk Pallet Furniture is open 9am to 4pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday, including Public Holidays.
Furniture can be seen in store and on their Facebook page Brae Neuk Pallet Furniture and Instagram page pallet.furniture.boorowa
You can get in contact with Angus and Karen on 0412 223 702 or by email at angusbt50@bigpond.com.