Local Business Spotlight: Yandina Hardware – Tenacity, Tea & True-Blue Grit By Mark Officer | Jaz Realty Yandina
As a local real estate agent in the heart of Yandina, one of the great joys of my job is getting to know the real people behind the businesses that make this town so special. This week, in the spotlight, is Gab from Yandina Hardware, a business that’s been the backbone of our community for over two decades.
From Family Roots to Local Staples
Gab and Wayne have been running Yandina Hardware for 23 years, having taken over the store from Wayne’s father. It wasn’t part of a grand business plan—more a case of life unfolding naturally. Wayne’s extensive background in plumbing and hardware sales and Gab’s roots in rural work and trade retail created the perfect storm: a hardworking couple who fell in love… and straight into running a shop. And it just worked.
“We’re not here because it’s glamorous or fluffy,” Gab says. “We do it because we’re tenacious, because we’re always learning, and because we want to provide a solid life for our kids.”
Living and Giving Locally
One of the most heartfelt parts of our chat was hearing Gab talk about Yandina—not just as a place to work, but as a community to live in and support. From sponsoring sporting groups to shopping at fellow local businesses like Thai Tong, Spirit House, Bar Deco, and the Feedbarn, Gab and Wayne are all about keeping it local.
“We live in town. We buy from town. Especially the bricks and mortar shops—we know how tough it can be.”
The Good Times, the Grit, and the Glory
When I asked Gab what she loves most about owning a business in Yandina, her answer was refreshingly real:
“The laughs, the awkward moments, the tough times—and the feeling when you get through them.”
It’s not always smooth sailing running an independent hardware store in today’s world, but they meet the challenge head-on, constantly expanding their range and spending hours sourcing the right products. “Sometimes,” she says with a grin, “you just buy it and figure out how to fit it in the shop later.”
Memories Made in the Park and at the Kitchen Table
When the workday winds down, Gab’s happy place is a simple one: a cup of tea at the table with the boys, chatting while their many animals put on a show. “We work hard and get hungry—and we have a lot of animals!”
One cherished memory that sums it all up? “The early mornings at the park when the kids were little, playing for hours before heading into town for a feed. That’s the Yandina we love.”
Words to Live (and Work) By
Persistence. Pivot. Provide.
That’s the Yandina Hardware way.
So, next time you need a tool, a fitting, or just want to support a hardworking local family, drop into Yandina Hardware. You’ll walk out with what you need—and probably a good yarn to go with it.
📍Local legend. Loyal to Yandina.
#YandinaHardware #SupportLocal #JazRealtyYandina #MarkOfficerLocalAgent #YandinaLife
