After nearly eight decades of serving the Orbost community, the historic F.B. Dicken & Son store will close its doors at the end of the month, marking the end of an era for one of the town’s most iconic businesses.
The store’s origins date back to 1936, when Frank and May Dicken, along with their son Selwyn, relocated from Tomingley, NSW.
Frank began managing the Pardew Brothers store on Nicholson Street before purchasing the business in 1945.
Two years later, a father-son partnership was formed, giving rise to the name F.B. Dicken & Son.
In 1948, the family acquired the shop freehold.
Selwyn married Inez Pardew in 1950, and Inez became a key part of the store’s operations from 1957 onward.
Though the business was sold in 1981, the Dicken family retained ownership of the premises, ensuring the store’s legacy remained part of the town’s fabric.
Since 2007, the store has been owned by Annette Towns, who bought it from Sue Konieczny.
For the past 18 years, Annette has been a proud and active member of the Orbost community, generously supporting local sports clubs, events and community initiatives through donations and sponsorships.
Speaking on the closure, Annette said it was a “difficult decision made with a heavy heart.”
She cited the downturn in the economy as a major factor in bringing the store’s journey to a close.
“It truly is the end of an era,” Annette said.
The closure of F.B. Dicken not only signals the end of a long-standing business, but also the departure of a cherished institution that has stood as a constant in the heart of Orbost for generations.
