Jason and Michelle Bathman have owned the Shepparton franchise for the past 14 years, while Mr Bathman has worked there for 32 years.
On Thursday, February 12, Barbeques Galore owners and staff were told the national business was being put in the hands of administrators.
Mr Bathman said the Shepparton store was a franchise, and at this point, would not be affected by the decision, which he said was a strategic debt management tool by new owners who bought the national company in December last year.
“We want to assure customers we will still be trading as normal,” Mr Bathman said.
“We’re locally owned.
“We’re not going anywhere.
“We’re here for the foreseeable future and we will always be here.”
Mr Bathman said he would continue to honour gift cards bought in his store as well as ones bought at Barbeques Galore stores elsewhere, dollar for dollar.
However, as a precaution, the store would not be selling gift cards at the moment.
Mr Bathman also pointed out that the national company had been placed into administration, not receivership or bankruptcy.
“It’s not all doom and gloom,” he said.
“It’s a means the corporate level has had to engage in to improve their (financial) position.”
The Shepparton Barbeques Galore has been open since the 1980s.
“Barbeques Galore has been part of Shepparton’s retail fabric for many years and I can’t see that changing,” Mr Bathman said.
As well as stocking Barbeques Galore products, the Shepparton store also sells products from other suppliers.
