Gerringong Post Office owners Elizabeth Bessesen and Andre Jonker have sold and now look forward to visiting grandchildren and travelling in their retirement. But they don’t plan to leave Gerringong.

“This is our home, why leave paradise?” Liz says.

The couple will be sorely missed judging by the overwhelming amount of praise on social media.

“Ever since we announced the sale, people have been coming in daily saying thank you. An old customer even drove from Shoalhaven Heads just to thank us for our service before we left,” Liz says.

“It’s just so humbling and overwhelming. There are so many appreciative people.”

In their 10 years of owning the town’s post office, Liz and Andre have not only never lost a parcel but have gone above and beyond for their customers.

“I’m going to miss my oldies and seniors from Mayflower. I hope I can do something in the community to continue helping them because that’s been the highlight besides all the people I have watched grow up."

Andre says just last week a mum brought her daughter in, now standing hip high next to him, for a passport photo and he remembered when he took her first photo when she was just a baby.

Gerringong residents get to meet the new owners in early July. Liz and Andre say they are very well-qualified.

“We’re very happy with the new owners. We feel we’re passing it on to another capable family which is important,” Liz says.

Until then or until stocks last, they are having a change of ownership sale with items up to 50 per cent off.

Liz and Andre thank the community for their kind words and for the support of local businesses in town.

“We have a network of LPOs and I have read some of their horror stories but everyone here, and I mean 99.9 per cent of people, are understanding, patient and just amazing,” Liz says.

The other big news in Gerringong is that after 23 years, Gerringong’s Bali inspired shop Siang closes after the June long weekend.

Owner Mick Gannon, famous for his Balinese furniture and homewares imports, is at last retiring. Everything in store is on sale now.

“It’s been good having a business in Gerringong and very successful,” Mick says.

The On Print T-Shirt Company, currently next to the Enhance petrol station, will move to the Siang space.