COVER STORY
COVER STORY for many years and a few of them were a little loose. I am trying to keep the building and shop as original as possible because that’s why it is so well loved,” she said. Those who knew the former store well will recognise the shop’s original ceramic sink that was once hidden away in a back room. It now takes pride of place in the corner surrounded by comfy chairs and a table with magazines for people to relax and have a coffee. There are also three of the original Comino’s counters still in the store. Mrs Comino said she had been approached by business owners from far and wide who wanted to buy their vintage shelving and other display apparatus.
been a challenge, but she was enjoying spending time with her family, safe in the knowledge that Ms Jordan would do the shop justice. Although she admitted to feeling “a little bit of pressure” picking up the baton from the long-established and renowned family business, Karen said she was excited at the possibilities the new space would mean for Whitepepper. “I recently returned from a European trip with my family where I attended one of the biggest
trade shows in the world in Paris, so I am full of inspiration for the new space. It will also be exciting to be positioned near Lamkin Lane and Paisley Park, which are exciting for Caloundra,” she said. Karen’s daughters Chloe and Ellie have also been excited to help to write the next chapter of Whitepepper which, with the luck of Mannie Comino watching over them, could have many decades yet to come.
But the piece that brings both women close to tears is a sentimental horse shoe ornament, which had belonged to Mr Comino’s father, Charlie. “On (Mrs Comino’s) last day in the store, we went up there to collect the keys and she came out to me holding Mannie’s lucky horseshoe, which has hung on the back wall for many decades,” Ms Jordan said. “She said Mannie had always said it had brought good luck to them and she wanted to leave it with us so that we could now have Mannie’s good luck.” Mrs Comino said adjusting to life outside of the drapery, where she spent 55 of her 75 years, had
Karen Jordan, owner of Whitepepper Homewares now at 26 Bulcock Street
CHANGING OF THE GUARD
CORPORATE
After 55 years of business, the Comino’s have finally found 'the one' to take over the old shop.
B
ulcock Street business stalwart Florence Comino had been approached many times by businesses hoping to take residence in the drapery shop she and late husband Emmanuel “Mannie” Comino built into a household name. Offer after offer, Mrs Comino declined and continued to work. But when Karen Jordan walked into the shop, Florence knew she had found “the one”. Mrs Comino said she felt instantly connected to Karen, the owner of Whitepepper Homewares, when she walked through the front door with a “beautiful smile”. “I liked her right from when she came in. I knew she would fit into this happy and friendly shop,” Mrs Comino said. “Karen seemed really genuine. She is a person I know will look after the old shop because she loves it almost as much as we do.”
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Taking over the lease in February was a dream come true for Karen. Comino’s Drapery was the first shop she set foot in when she moved to Caloundra with her husband 25 years ago. “I walked in there and Mannie was standing out the front and we chatted and he was such a lovely gentleman,” Ms Jordan said. “The building itself was a huge draw card for me, I have an attraction to old buildings. It had a nice ambience about it and I loved the history of the building. ”
of retail space and now have about 100sqm in the new shop,” she said.
Karen said she felt like she had to pinch herself when Mrs Comino gave her blessing, and the keys, to the beloved shop. Whitepepper Homewares was established in 2012 and operated from 138 Bulcock Street. “I had been looking for about 12 months for a new space because I wanted to expand. I had about 40sqm
Staying true to the origins of the Comino’s shop had been at the forefront of Karen’s mind when planning her relocation. “I have kept the floors and the ceiling, which were constructed back in 1937, but some structural strengthening was required. We re-tiled the front of the shop because the existing tiles had been painted over
Florence Comino in Comino's Drapery
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