it’s Philip & Leoni
it’s Philip & Leoni... & they are both not only really clever business people, they are also very passionate Port people. They bought the Port Mall Newsagency & set up shop some 23 years ago in the heart of Port Adelaide. After doing their sums they knew there was potential in our area… Philip adds “Now with new businesses & Government buildings coming to the Port, we are now beginning to realise the potential & it’s really exciting for us”.
Things have changed a lot from the first day the Port Mall Newsagency doors opened some 23 years ago. Leoni remembers, “We started off with two small shops and amalgamated them, we had a big revamp and now we are onto our third location, so that’s a lot of change over the years.
Philip reckons, “It was a good business decision at the time because we wanted to buy a newsagency and we looked around Port Adelaide and knew that this was an ideal place. We knew there was potential & we knew there was going to be some growth, but we didn’t know how long it would take”.
When asked about some of the characters they have come to know over the years, Philip explained…“There are just so many individual characters, it’s just a great mix of good people. In the early days we had the two hotels either end of us… it was interesting at times! People here are all pretty easy-going.” Leoni agreed, chipping in with “they are not all Port supporters but we all get on together.”
Philip reckons, “there are no airs & graces, they are all good people going about their business. A lot are now retired and have been hard workers all their lives and they now enjoy being helped and looked after. Port Adelaide has always had a really good vibe about it, the people are really genuine & if you do something for someone they love it & they are appreciative of it.”
They are both excited with what’s happening in the Port. After returning from a recent trip to Fremantle and really liking the vibe it was creating with restaurants, cafes hotels & breweries… they could both see so many similarities to what is happening right here in Port Adelaide. Philip is very clear though on which is the better place to be, “Port Adelaide has a lot more potential than Fremantle, it has a much better layout and design and is right near the foreshore… it’s still got a way to go but Port Adelaide has got a really bright future. With all the government workers coming to the Port it will be a big thing for us.”
It’s a testament to all their hard work & the vision Leoni & Philip had for their business when they started over two decades ago. “Sometimes we have six of us serving behind the counter and we would have 20 people scattered around waiting to be served and we are just so proud of that. People actually choose to visit Port Adelaide & come to our store, we’ve created lots of different reasons for them to come, like our stock range and all the different things we do and they do come and we are really proud of that”.
It’s thanks to amazing people like Leoni & Philip & the whole Port Mall Newsagency crew that provide exceptional service & are in it for the long haul… they are one of the reasons our Port is so great. So, please get behind them & show your support!!!
Philip and Leoni wanted to send you all a massive thank you for your support over the years!!!