If you’ve ever driven down Queen Street in Ayr, chances are you’ve spotted McCathies Furniture Plus. It’s a Burdekin institution that’s been helping locals furnish their homes (and their lives) for half a century. Family-run for four generations, McCathies is the type of business where community spirit is part of the furniture. and now they’re a finalist in Australia’s Favourite Family Business competition.

The McCathie story began back in the 1970s with Jack and Milly McCathie, two Burdekin locals who couldn’t help but start businesses. “My grandparents were true entrepreneurs,” says current managing director, Kari Ravizza. “They established everything from a taxi service to a toy shop, travel agency, milk bar, and even a real estate agency.”

In 1974, spotting a gap in the market, Jack and Milly opened Ayr Secondhand Dealers. The shop quickly became a go-to for locals hunting for pre-loved treasures. A few years later, Kari’s parents, John and Lyndy, joined the business and moved it to its current home at 262 Queen Street.

By then, the McCathies were starting to blend old with new, selling unique furniture pieces crafted by the Endeavour Foundation alongside carefully sourced second-hand finds.

Brand-new beginnings

Fast-forward to 1998, and the McCathies decided it was time for a change.

“Ayr Secondhand Dealers shifted into a retailer of new furniture under numerous variations of business names, all under the McCathie title,” says Kari.

The move marked the start of the modern McCathies Furniture Plus, though not without a few bumps along the way.

“Our first big break came when we decided to look further afield,” Kari recalls. “Armed with a phone book and a Refidex — there was no such thing as Google Maps back then — we flew to Brisbane, hired a car, and spent three hectic days visiting as many furniture suppliers as we could find. Navigating Brisbane traffic, getting lost, missing exits… it was an adventure!”

The trip paid off. They returned to Ayr with new supplier partnerships (many of which remain today) and a truckload of confidence.

“When the new stock began to arrive, we knew we’d made the right decision,” Kari says. “Transitioning from second-hand to new furniture and bedding marked a turning point for our business.”

Keeping it in the family

In 2013, another generation joined the story. Kari, then a teacher, took leave from her career to return home with her husband Rob and their kids, Chelsea and Jye.

“It felt only natural to continue what generations before me had built,” she says. “It’s become a shared dream, one that continues to evolve with each generation of our family.”

Today, Kari and Rob are partners with her retired parents, John and Lyndy. Although retirement is a loose term for the older McCathies.

“It’s not unusual to see Mum and Dad at ‘The Shop’ daily,” Kari laughs. “They’re always dropping in, chatting with customers, or helping unload the semi-trailer full of new stock.”

Even the next generation has joined the ranks, with Kari’s son Jye working casually in the business.

“He’s the fourth generation to proudly wear the McCathies logo,” she says.

Lessons learned the family way

Kari says running a family business comes with its fair share of learning curves.

“After watching my grandparents and parents work alongside each other all my life, I thought it must be easy,” says Kari. “Rob and I very quickly realised we could either work together OR stay married but doing both was not an option for us!”

She laughs, but there’s truth behind it. “I’ve learnt that there needs to be one leader for the partnership to work, or you have to at least take turns being the leader,” she says.

And when it comes to wisdom, she’s happy to admit who’s usually right: “Dad is usually right, just don’t tell him I said that!”

When business challenges crop up, she leans on her parents’ experience.

“Mum and Dad are happy for me to try new things as we grow and change with the times,” she says. “I don’t really remember any big disagreements. It’s always been about asking for help when I need it.”

Delivering good old-fashioned service

McCathies’ secret sauce is simple: treat customers like people, not transactions. “We believe in honest advice, fair prices, quality products and good old-fashioned service,” says Kari. “When you shop at McCathies, you’re not just buying furniture, you’re supporting a local family business that values relationships, trust, and community.”

That community connection is woven into everything they do. Kari serves as an Executive Member of the Burdekin Chamber of Commerce and sits on the committee for the Burdekin Water Festival.

“We sponsor many local events, schools, and sporting groups. And we’re always happy to lend a hand, even if that means volunteering at a local school production at 8pm on a Saturday night!”

Challenges and wins

Like any small business, McCathies has had its tough times, especially when short-staffed.

“In a small business, every person plays an important role,” Kari says. “When we’re down a team member, it can place extra pressure on everyone.”

Her solution? Roll up her sleeves and get stuck in.

“I’ve stepped into every role, from deliveries to managing accounts. But what truly helps us through is the strength of our team. We treat our staff with respect, and they know they can lean on us when they need support. We’ve built a workplace where people care for each other.”

That family-style approach extends to customers, too.

“We’re an independent furniture business. [That’s] very unusual in this day and age,” she says. “If you can see an item in store, you can have it today, no waiting! And if something goes wrong, customers deal directly with real people who care and can make things right.”

Kari’s proudest moments aren’t necessarily about profit margins. “Surviving my first year was a huge milestone,” she says. “Working alongside my parents and now my children is something I treasure. And learning to drive the big truck and forklift was a proud (and slightly nerve-wracking!) achievement too.”

Staying true to the past with an eye on the future

While the business has evolved, moving from second-hand sales to a modern furniture showroom, the McCathies’ core values remain unchanged.

“What’s never changed is our commitment to quality and service,” says Kari. “We still only sell products we believe in, and some of our suppliers have been with us nearly 30 years.”

The retail landscape has shifted dramatically, but McCathies continues to thrive by staying flexible. “We’ve seen big shifts, like the rise of imported furniture and online platforms, but we’ve adapted,” Kari explains.

“Now, we’re embracing digital tools to make shopping easier and more inspiring for our customers.”

Australia’s Favourite Family Business competition

Kari says being shortlisted for Australia’s Favourite Family Business 2025 is the cherry on top of decades of hard work and heart.

“It’s an incredible honour,” says Kari. “To be recognised among so many wonderful family businesses across Australia is truly special. McCathies has always been built on family values:  honesty, integrity and community. So being shortlisted feels like a celebration of all the generations that have gone into our business.”

For Kari personally, it’s a moment of validation. “Coming from a teaching background rather than a business one, I was anxious at first, worried I might be the generation to end what my grandparents and parents built. Being shortlisted feels like an acknowledgement that I can do this, that I’m capable of continuing our family legacy.”

Leading with heart

Ask Kari for her advice to anyone thinking about starting a family business, and she doesn’t sugarcoat it.

“Be prepared to work hard, and lead with heart,” she says. “Understand every part of your business, from the front counter to the storeroom. Don’t count your success by the sales at the end of each day. Help your customers find what they truly need. Focus on honesty and care, and success will follow.”

As for the future, McCathies’ dreams are down-to-earth. “Our focus is on continuing to evolve while staying true to our values,” Kari says. “We’re improving our showroom, expanding our range, and supporting other local businesses through the Chamber of Commerce. When local businesses grow, our whole region thrives.”

After 50 years in business, McCathies Furniture Plus store is a living piece of Burdekin history.

“I want future generations to hear someone proudly say, ‘I got that at McCathies,’” Kari says. “That simple phrase represents trust, quality, and connection.”

And if her kids decide to carry the torch one day?

“I hope they follow their own dreams,” she says. “But if those paths bring them back to McCathies, I hope they continue to uphold our family values: to serve with integrity, care for their team, and stay connected to the community that supports us.”

McCathies Furniture Plus is a finalist in Australia’s Favourite Family Business competition. You can vote for your favourite here.

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