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by Greg Martin
Hawkesbury residents reckon you could march all day and not find a better fruit and veg shop than the Papadopoulos family’ s Richmond Fruit Market.
Kon and his wonderful family have run the shop since 1985, establishing it as the district’ s go-to destination for all things grown on trees, vines and in the ground.
Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said,“ the only constant in life is change”- and, heeding that wisdom, Kon has stepped into a well-earned and happy retirement.
Now, walk another day and you’ ll come across Emma and Vince Destefano- and you’ ll discover the extra 24 hours of foot slogging was well worth it.
Of course, Kon leaves with mixed feelings, but he says he does so knowing the business is in the hands of a
Celebrating 40 yrs Est. 1984 EXPERT ADVISE, QUALITY SERVICE, RELIABLE PRODUCTS & COMPETITIVE PRICING
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couple committed to continuing its tradition of first-class service.
Emma and Vince spent four weeks working alongside Kon and his experienced team and are adamant they won’ t be changing a thing. After all, if it ain’ t broke, don’ t fix it. And what a delightful couple the
Destefanos are.
The business will remain a family affair. Joining them alongside the loyal staff who have stayed on- are their 21-year-old son Pietro and sonin-law Dominic.
Vince and Emma bring a wealth of experience in the fruit and veg game.
“ My parents, Rocco and Adele, successfully operated similar businesses for more than 50 years, and Vince and I have been fortunate to learn from them since we married,” Emma said.
The Destefanos previously ran their own fruit and veg business at Westfield Eastgardens for five years before selling last winter and taking a well-deserved break.
“ We worked long hours, early mornings to late nights and Vince
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would leave home at 2am three times a week to head to Flemington Markets to source our produce,” Emma said.
Those eight months off allowed the pair to recharge and reignite their passion for the industry they know so well.
“ Over the years during my buying trips, I’ d heard about Kon’ s reputation as a lovely man and a very astute businessman,” Vince said.
“ So when Emma and I learned the Richmond store was for sale, we jumped at the opportunity.”
“ After working alongside Kon and his wonderful staff, we decided not to change a highly successful business although down the track we might try a few new ideas,” Emma added.
As is my want, I was keen to learn a little more about the Destefanos. They have three daughters- Isabella, Alessandra and Giulia and are also proud grandparents to their first grandchild, Alessia Grace.
And how they met? It’ s a story worth telling.
Emma travelled to Italy in 1994
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and was enjoying a day at Roccella Ionica- that country’ s version of Bondi- on the Ionian Sea.
“ Vince was walking along, stopped to say hello, and we got talking. Fortunately, I could speak Italian, as Vince didn’ t speak any English,” Emma said.
Their romance began but was briefly put on hold when Vince was called up for 12 months of conscription in the Italian Army and Emma returned home to Australia.
“ During that time, I wrote to Emma every day, and we spoke regularly on the phone,” Vince said.“ As soon as my service finished, I came straight to Australia.”
“ I couldn’ t speak English at first, but watching plenty of television and very patient people around me, I quickly picked it up.”
Vince was even able to deliver his marriage vows in English when the couple tied the knot on August 24, 1996.
Emma and Vince truly are a delightful couple- so do yourself a favour and pop in to meet them.
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