Care bears fruit

The fruit and vegie corner shop has become almost as rare as a greengrocer greeting customers by name.

But as the buying power of supermarket giants squeezes out the humble private businesses, demand for old-fashioned service remains.

One of the last family-owned and operated fresh produce shops in the Bunbury Region, Paul’s Fruit and Vegetables has built a loyal customer base over more than 40 years.

Paul Kontorinis opened the shop in 1964 and said personal service and being happy to chat with customers was something the supermarkets did not offer.

‘‘We care about customers, we give them the service and that’s what they want,’’ he said.

And while supermarkets such as Woolworths source fresh produce from around the nation and will be affected by the destruction to crops in much of the Eastern States, Mr Kontorinis said his loyalty to local growers placed him at an advantage.

‘‘The floods are bound to have some effect but at this stage we are all right,’’ he said.

‘‘Bunbury is very lucky because we are surrounded by districts full of fruit and vegetables.’’

Vegetables WA executive officer Jim Turley said although a small number of individual fruit and vegetables had gone up in price, the increases would not stay and customers could expect the market to firm.