Harcher Perth

Farewell to a well-loved local figure

After 28 years behind the counter, Nigel is closing the doors on Harmony News, a store that has been part of the Subiaco community for nearly half a century, with previous owners spanning another 18 years before him.
“When I first took it on, it was just a post office,” Nigel recalls. “I had to fight pretty hard to get Lotto approved. They told me there were already too many outlets in Subiaco. It took a lot of persistence and even support from a local politician, but we got there in the end.”
The store itself has seen big changes over the years. It was originally located further up the road in a space where, as Nigel puts it, “you could actually park your car inside the shop”. The business was forced to relocate when rent tripled overnight. That move marked the beginning of a long period of adapting to change.
And change has been relentless.
“The biggest shifts have been in how people shop,” he says. “With everything moving online, especially parcels, it’s been tough. Australia Post commissions changed significantly. We went from earning proper commission to just a handling fee.”
COVID was another defining period. “That was definitely the hardest time,” Nigel says. “My wife, who works as a travel agent, came and worked alongside me for two years just to get through it.”
Despite the challenges, Nigel continually evolved the business, adjusting the shop layout, refining the product mix, and staying relevant in a changing retail landscape.
But what stands out most over the journey isn’t the change. It’s the people.
“The reason I got up every day was the customers,” he says. “There are so many great people. You always remember a few of the tough ones, but it’s the good ones that make it worth it.”
One story that captures that connection is a long-time customer who recently celebrated her 100th birthday in store. “She used to tell me stories about when Hay Street was a dirt road,” Nigel says. “That’s the kind of history you become part of.”
Like many small businesses in Subiaco, external changes also had an impact. The closure of the Children’s Hospital and Subiaco Markets significantly reduced foot traffic, forcing further adaptation.
Through it all, strong supplier relationships remained a constant. Nigel speaks highly of long-standing partnerships with R Direct, Simpson Cards, and Harcher, which have supported the business over many years.
After nearly three decades of working five and a half days a week, Nigel is now ready for a new chapter.
“It’s time to focus on my health,” he says. “We’ve got our first granddaughter arriving in June, and I’m looking forward to spending time with family, and doing a bit of travel.”

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