Original Howitt Street shopping strip trader Julie Quick.
THE Howitt Street shopping strip has celebrated 50 years.
Julie Quick was one of five business owners to fill the original shops, and the longest-serving trader in the area.
She organised a special lunch at the Blue Bell Hotel last week to recognise the milestone.
“The strip has really done well over the years, it was a real community,” she said.
“It’s always maintained its popularity and it always provided businesses that were needed by the community.”
Mrs Quick ran Julie Quick Hair Stylist for 42 years before passing the business on to her daughter, who then passed it on to a former staff member.
“It’s great, it’s almost like it’s still in the family,” Mrs Quick said.
She said traders always looked out for one another and their customers.
“We always had a Father Christmas who would give out lollies, people really loved that,” she said.
“It was just a great community to be a part of.”
The shopping strip now has more than two dozen shops.
