NEXT week’s Easter Saturday is full of special memories for longtime business owners in Beechworth.

The day marks 35 years of trading for The Finer Things in Life run by Elizabeth and Steve Mason from when the shop first opened its doors.

“That morning, we opened our doors to many wonderful years ahead and the town was bustling with excitement as the well-established Golden Horseshoes Festival was in full swing,” Elizabeth said.

“We had an amazing day’s trade - one which in today’s economy is considered a healthy one.

“We felt buoyed by our decision to open a much-loved business idea in Beechworth.

“Our life in Beechworth, raising our family, getting involved in many community projects and organisations has in reflection made us feel very proud, but also very privileged and grateful for the support we’ve had over all these years.

“It’s not hard to become passionate about the extraordinary history we have in the town.

“After digging into some family history, we discovered my great, great, great grandparents arrived here from Liverpool with five children in 1853 to set up trading in Ford Street to the gold miners.”

Elizabeth said both her family as well as her husband Steve’s family have strong connections to Beechworth.

“Steve’s mum Valerie Mason was the first female shire president (mayor) in Beechworth in 1974,” she said.

“The love and passion we have for our business is as strong as the day we opened, at a time when many of my colleagues are retiring,

“l feel blessed to have the opportunity to head to work with a great sense of joy.

“It’s a business that provides beautiful products to the loveliest customers.

“We now have 10 little grandchildren who love poking around the shop, and our daughter has established a similar shop in Rutherglen.

“Maybe one day the next generation will take the reins.`

Among memories on the first day of trade, Elizabeth said people peeked through the window and knocked on the door on the Friday night before the store opened the next day.

“We made our first sale before we officially opened the doors and that was a good omen,” she said.

Elizabeth said a niche market had been developed where people love what the business offers with key ingredients of her love for both jewellery and customers.

The business also sells period style homewares but Elizabeth’s passion for vintage designed and hand-crafted jewellery has given the business direction with its unique products.

Elizabeth and Steve have been able to combine their love of travel and creative passion for the business.

“It gives us the opportunity to source from all over the world and we endeavour to have jewellery that’s not commercial and is unique which are our points of difference,” Elizabeth said.

“We carry some fabulous products and are the only store out of America stocking a unique range.

“We have many designer jewellery items hand-crafted in Vietnam and I’m heading there soon to have necklaces made while we also go to Europe and England on buying trips.

“I look forward to going to work and we have wonderful staff that is important for business.

“As a tourist town we have lots of customers while we also have great support from the community.”