When asked about any funny incidents from the family running the Red Hill supermarket for more than 50 years, Olympia Maleganeas doesn't take long to answer: "Well, there was that time John found Mrs Whitlam's earrings".
The Maleganeas family - headed by Chris and Olympia - have sold the Red Hill supermarket they built and opened in 1966, the official handover to the new owners taking place on July 10.
"It was a big decision but we just felt it was time to move on," oldest son John said.
The family became an intrinsic part of the inner-south Canberra community over the next 51 years, all five sons working in the shop alongside their parents, serving diplomats, defence force personnel, public housing tenants, public servants, school kids, and, yes, the occasional former prime minister.
Gough Whitlam, and his wife Margaret, lived in the Red Hill public housing precinct behind the shops, following his dismissal in 1975. Hence the earrings story.
"John was very little and Mrs Whitlam was so happy when he found her earrings on the floor of the shop," Mrs Maleganeas said.
Family patriarch, Chris, now 85, migrated to Australia from Greece in 1949. He opened the Red Hill supermarket in 1966 and was there often until about three years ago when ill health forced him to retire. The family also had another supermarket, in Gowrie, which they owned from 1983 to 2000.
Mr Maleganeas was known for driving his huge, lumbering 1978 Ford LTD to the shops and for his no-nonsense customer service.
All five sons - John, Michael, Steven, Christopher and Con - also worked in the shop, known as the Red Hill Friendly Grocer. The original family home was just around the corner in Monaro Crescent and the boys went to Red Hill Primary School across the road.
"We all grew up in the shop," John, 51, said.
"We'd be here before school, after school, on weekends."
Olympia Maleganeas, who met her future husband in Greece in 1965 when he was on a holiday back in the homeland, was also an integral part of the business, helping to run both Red Hill and Gowrie.
"It's been a privilege to be here. We've met a lot of people and we've made a lot of friends," Mrs Maleganeas said.
"It's sad to not be here anymore. It's been very, very good to be here with all the family."
Michael, 50, said the family could probably "write a couple of books" based on their experiences at Red Hill, but, true to form, they were remaining discreet and grateful.
"Red Hill has been part of our family, all of our life," he said.
The supermarket, now called Red Hill Express, was bought by Brendan Irvine, who also manages the store. He bought the business with two partners.
Mr Irvine also managed a supermarket in Florey and has worked at the Fyshwick and Belconnen markets, saying the focus of the business will be on fresh food. There are also plans for a redevelopment.
Mr Irvine was well aware of taking on a local landmark.
"The thing I love so much is how invested it is in the community after more than 50 years." he said.
"People come up and shake your hand and say, 'Welcome to Red Hill'. It makes you want to provide as good as service as possible."