Plans to open a collectables museum and gift shop in Childers in mid-October are ticking along like clockwork.
Clockwork Curiosities Museum and Gift Shop is the initiative of Biloela couple Josie and Michael Rigney.
The business will be fronted by a gift shop with a paid entry museum. The shop will showcase the couple’s extensive display of vintage toys, games, puzzles, models and a host of collectables covering the 1950s to the 1990s.
The Rigney’s admit the new venture has been some years in the making.
“We have been eyeing off the Childers area for some time and considering just what type of business we wanted to invest in,” Josie said.
She said they had considered a bed and breakfast which would allow for the incorporation of a Devonshire tea aspect.
“We couldn’t find the right property so eventually we settled for renting a shop and looking to share Clockwork Curiosities with locals and visitors.
She said the display would create nostalgia for a lot of people who would be able to relate to items in the collection which they may have had as treasured possessions in their younger days.
“I have been collecting dolls for more than 20 years and was then involved in crafting, doll shows and display judging which gave me a really good grounding in what the collectables industry entails.
“A few years ago I decided I needed to branch out because a business needs more than just dolls,” Josie said.
“We now collect toys, hobby items, games, Lego and puzzles and also have an extensive collection based on robotics.
“One of our robotic displays is a Side Show Alley with full moving pieces, sound, and light display. It occupies four tables and is really cool,” said Josie.
“We believe our venture will be a good fit for the town and complement the other two local museums – the Old Pharmacy and Baker’s Military Museum and Memorabilia.”
Childers Chamber of Commerce president Teena Mammino said Clockwork Curiosities Gift Shop and Museum would be an exciting addition to the town’s business community.
“It sounds like it will be a wonderful trip down memory lane for many of us,” Teena said.
“It’s great to see people like Josie and Michael expressing confidence in the future of Childers by investing in this manner.
“This really is another string to our visitor bow and provides another unique attraction for our community.
“Childers is really creating a great base for the region’s tourism industry with our wineries and major attractions like Snakes Downunder and Flying High Bird Park among the region’s top drawcards.”
Josie said the current plan is to have the shop opened in premises at 54a Churchill Street on 17 October.
“Initially we want to open seven days between 9am and 4pm,” she said.
Entry to the gift shop is free with an admission charged for a tour of the museum collectables and displays.
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