Hughes family sells Tailem Bend newsagency after 80 years of community service

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After 80 years and three generations of service to the community, family-run business Hughes Newsagency will change hands on June 30.

The newsagency has been sold to Adithya “Adi” Asani, a partner in a Melbourne company.

The new owner will take on all current staff.

“It will be business as usual, just without the Hughes family at the helm,” the Hughes family said in a letter to customers.

They thanked the community and generations of staff for their support over the years.

Third-generation owner Tony Hughes said that support had been the highlight of his time at the newsagency.

“The customers and staff are all lovely people,” he said.

“We have always aimed to offer good, friendly service, and have loved getting involved with the community.

“We have really enjoyed supporting the local sporting and community clubs over the years, that’s always been really important to us.”

The Tailem Bend icon has been in the family since 1943, when deli owner Jeff Hughes bought the business next door to his.

Jeff’s son Robert then took over after returning from the police force.

Some years later, after working for a short time as a teacher, Robert’s son Tony became the new owner.

Over the years, one thing the family prided themselves on was their ability to adapt to their customers’ needs, having sold not only newspapers but paperback novels, giftware, computer goods and even bread flour at one point.

“All towns need local businesses and the people need to support them; otherwise there won’t be any small businesses,” Tony Hughes said.

Although it is certainly the end of an era, the Hughes family will remain in Tailem Bend.

The youngest Mr Hughes will still run Rob Hughes Agencies, and his mother and father will continue their retirement.