Nancy still going strong as business turns 50

Nancy Young in the Balclutha greengrocers she and her late husband Ngok opened 50 years ago. Son and business partner Roger stands behind. Photo: Stephen Jaquiery
Nancy Young in the Balclutha greengrocers she and her late husband Ngok opened 50 years ago. Son and business partner Roger stands behind. Photo: Stephen Jaquiery
Rumours of her retirement have been greatly exaggerated.

Loyal customers of Ngok and Nancy's Fruits in Balclutha might have been wondering where the eponymous Nancy (81) had got to during recent years, given she could justifiably ease back after 50 years in business.

But on the occasion of the store's half-century today, the indefatigable octogenarian says she is still here, and going strong.

Stepping behind the scenes since husband Ngok Young died in 2010, Mrs Young ''keeps fit'' shifting 20kg crates of fruit and veg between the storeroom and processing plant out back, while son Roger now fronts the customer-facing part of the business.

Still spry and with a ready sense of humour, she puts her fitness down to a lifetime of ''hard work and fresh veges''.

Brought up on a market garden in Auckland, the young Nancy began working life as a teacher, before marriage to Inch Clutha market gardener Ngok brought her south in 1963.

After a few years, a change of scene was in order.

''When I came down, I thought I was at the South Pole. I got used to the cold, but not the loneliness - you can't talk to cauliflowers and cabbages, can you?''

Balclutha greengrocer Dick Young was selling his Clyde St store and, in 1969, Mrs Young persuaded her husband to move into the retail business.

After a year, the couple moved across to the shady side of the street, helping the store's produce stay fresher longer.

Save for changing trends in consumption, Ngok and Nancy's had not looked back since.

''We've had peaks and troughs, like any business, but we've diversified over the years and now supply ready-to-use fresh catering veg to Dunedin customers, and run a pop-up stonefruit stall from our home during summer. That's been really successful.''

Mrs Young said local palates erred towards the conservative.

''The younger ones are prepared to try new things, but not the regulars so much.

''When we first brought in broccoli in the 1970s, it was like, 'What's this? Maybe I'll try it next time, Nancy ...'''

For southerners, ''meat and two veg'' staples had never gone out of fashion, she said.

''Potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, silverbeet. That's what Clutha people like.''

She said her 50 years in the store had been ''very enjoyable'', and she thanked her many loyal customers.

''I'm a sociable person. It's helped keep me fit and young.

''I'll keep on working until my body tells me otherwise.''

richard.davison@odt.co.nz

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