A fifth-generational Ingham family-owned business has celebrated its centenary anniversary in the furniture and real estate business.
The Felix Reitano family business was started by Felix Reitano, who immigrated to Australia from Naples as a 12-year-old. He worked with his uncle in a greengrocer store in Sydney and later moved to North Queensland to cut cane, eventually purchasing his own farm.
Felix also operated out of the Commercial Hotel at Halifax as a commission agent, auctioneer, and barber before setting up an office on Herbert Street, Ingham in 1923. From there, he built his empire with the help of his family, and the business has since become a prolific North Queensland owned and operated brand.
Family, staff, friends, and local dignitaries marked the 100th birthday with a weekend-long celebration honouring the Felix Reitano family.
Felix Reitano III, who now acts as a consultant for Felix Reitano Real Estate, says the celebrations had been a year in the making.
“Our family is still very united but unfortunately, we only see each other at funerals so we wanted to take the opportunity to have a fun time together,” he says.
“We invited family from all over Australia and around the world, family friends, staff, business associates, local organisations, the Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto and the Mayor of Hinchinbrook Ramon Jayo.”
The birthday celebrations included a meet-and-greet at the Herbert River RSL, a bus tour to the original Reitano home and business sites, a group lunch at the Lucinda Point Hotel followed by dinner at the Royal Hotel. A visit to the grave sites of the prominent family members, including the original Felix Reitano, and a family brunch at the home of the Felix III and Judy Reitano wrapped up the weekend.
Felix III says he believed his grandfather would be proud of the legacy he started.
“A hundred years is a long time for a business to operate considering that some businesses operate for a lot shorter time,” he says.
“I would like to think the original Felix would be happy with all we have achieved.”
L:R – Peter (Felix IV), Margaret (Felix III’s sister), Felix III and Judy (Felix III’s wife)
It has not been all smooth sailing for the business after a flood destroyed the Herbert Street showroom in 1967 before a fire gutted the Cartwright Street store in 1997.
The family rebuilt from the ashes and reopened their office and storeroom at the same Ingham site in 1998 at 109 Cartwright Street where they still operate out of to this day.
Currently, the business manages close to 200 properties and has sold residential, commercial, and rural real estate all over north and western Queensland and conducted auctions as far away as Thursday Island.
Felix III says looking forward to the future he was hoping to hand over the company reins to his son, Felix “Peter” Reitano IV.
“I like to think the younger ones can have a greater control so I can take a step back, but I want to make sure it is right because we pride ourselves on our service.” he says.
“We want to thank the local community because without their support over the last 100 years we wouldn’t be here.”
Main image: The current staff at Felix Reitano Real Estate, with Judy, Felix III, Margaret and Felix “Peter” IV seated in front.
Image credits: All images supplied.
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