THE family of a respected Border businessman who fell ill have been overwhelmed by support from customers, who offered to help with everything from meals to lawn mowing.
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Second-generation butcher Mark Bollinghaus and his wife Ineke opened the first Haus of Meat in Wodonga Plaza more than 20 years ago.
Their daughter, Bonita Bollinghaus, said her father was working “full steam ahead”, but a stroke forced him into early retirement.
The family was pained their original shop front closed down last Thursday in Wodonga Plaza, but are positive about the future of the business.
They have maintained all their staff by splitting them between stores at Centro Birallee and SPC Lavington which remain open.
The family has also hired an extra butcher.
“Dad had a stroke about a month ago, but he is in good spirits now and on the road to recovery,” she said.
“His vision is now impaired and doctors haven't promised it will come back.
“This is the main reason why me and my husband, John, have taken a step forward to run the business.”
Ms Bollinghaus wanted customers to know, despite her father's absence, familiar faces would still appear prominently in both stores.
She will run the store at SPC while her sister, Siska, will be at Birallee full-time.
“Dad decided to close Wodonga earlier in the year, but it wasn’t in his heart to do it because it was his first store and he has put so much work into it,” Ms Bollinghaus said.
“But when he fell sick we just had to for the business.
“We moved away from plazas because they have ridiculous trading hours and expensive rent.
“It was a shock to the family that everything had to happen the way it did.”
Mr Bollinghaus took pride in customer service to the point where many had become his friends.
After his stroke, the family was contacted by many people who sent cards and offered help with everyday chores.
They have also received assistance from Vision Australia and Guide Dogs Australia.
Mr Bollinghaus returned home from Albury Hospital at the weekend.
“John and I taking on the business has been the biggest learning curve, it became a reality overnight” Ms Bollinghaus said.
“It was an even bigger reality with dad coming home to realise how much goes into caring for someone who has had a stroke and now has impaired vision.
“For him to make a coffee and two pieces of toast in the morning is a challenge at the moment as part of his rehab getting into normal life.
“But for the rest of us its just our morning routine.”
