Steve and Pam Groom of Nambour Upholstery started with just two staff in Howard Street 35 years ago.

Now they employ 12 people in a busy showroom in Coronation Avenue. “We don’t brag but there wouldn’t be any one else like us on the Coast,” said Steve as a bevy of upholsterers hummed around the workshop. 

“I think we both have a great sense of achievement if we look back on the past 35 years. Our original vision was to own it for six years and yet here we are today.”

Pam said the most rewarding aspect of the job was working with clients to breathe new life into precious furniture that had seen better days.  “I just love the transformation of things that come in pretty ordinary and go out looking like wow,” she said.  “I feel very proud when people go out really satisfied with a piece we’ve revived.

“You have to work with each customer and educate them sometimes to make sure their expectations match what is possible. So we develop quite a relationship in order to balance everyone’s individual needs.”

The business was established in 1979 and Steve and Pam arrived on November 17, 1986. 

Steve said the key to business longevity was treating every customer like you would like to be treated yourself. 

“We’ve just done a chair for a favourite customer of ours and she’s over the moon,” he said. “I remember the day we started and Penny was our first customer and we’re still doing work for her 35 years later. To be able to retain that level of relationship for that long is very satisfying to us.”

Nambour Upholstery specialise in furniture upholstery services.  They  manufacture pieces such as bedheads, ottomans and blanket boxes and can repair damaged furniture. The workshop, opposite the Showgrounds entrance, carries a wide range of fabrics, leathers, vinyls, remnants, textiles & foams. Phone 07 5441 6764 or email info@nambourupholstery.com.au.