The Mayfair bakery on Victoria Ave has been around forever.
But owners Eric and Carol Kemp have decided that while 21 years in charge is not forever, it's more than long enough.
Retirement beckons - Eric wants to spend more time tending to his hydroponic lettuces - and so the business is
up for sale.
"We're in no hurry to sell but enough's enough. It's time to move on," said Eric.
While most iconic Wanganui businesses have disappeared in the name of progress, Mayfair has withstood the test of time. "I came to Wanganui in 1964 and it was here then," said Carol.
Eric said the business was set up in a way that bakery experience wasn't necessary. "There is two full-time baking staff. All the new owner has to have is good customer service."
He conceded supermarkets had eroded the profits of small bakeries such as his, but the Mayfair still had a band of loyal customers, mostly elderly.
"They like the smaller loaves of bread. Also a lot of our bread these days is gluten-free and that has been very successful."
