76 Years Of Family And Furniture
Over 76 years of furnishing homes and venues across the Whitsundays, it’s safe to say Burnups Home Style has become a local institution, proving that family businesses should not be underestimated.
Founded in 1950, three generations of Burnups have driven the Whitsundays furniture business, which started off as a ‘hole-in-the wall’ in Bowen, and now has two spacious showrooms in Bowen and Cannonvale, with a reputation for top quality furniture, advice and service built on trust.
Owner Clive Burnup has seen the business evolve through the years, from its beginnings with his father, John Burnup, at the reins, to now watching his daughter Isabella carry the family legacy forward.
“It's been a family business for a long time, with a lot of ups and downs along the way but we've truly got a nice, robust business here,” Clive said.
“To see Issy add to the future is great.”
For Issy, carrying on that legacy is about honouring what her parents and grandparents built, while helping shape Burnups for the future.
“It feels really good, I mean not many businesses out there can say they’ve hit 76 years,” Issy said.
“I think that’s quite an achievement in itself, and to have it still in the family is a very proud feeling.”
The Burnups story began in Bowen with a ‘hole in the wall’ shop, before moving into their current larger premise on Powell Street.
As the region grew, Burnups grew with it. The business expanded into Proserpine and Cannonvale, before eventually bringing those two new operations together at the current Cannonvale premises. Originally the family built the current Cannonvale business in a field surrounded by cane farms, now it is surrounded by the Whitsunday Plaza shopping Centre which was built around them.
Over this time, the team has also expanded beyond it’s own premises, with goods regularly being delivered from Mackay to Ayr, and even Hamilton Island. With a commercial division that has been active for over 30 years, Burnups works alongside developers, hotels and private owners both on Hamilton Island and the mainland to provide a full interior decoration service.
Lasting 76 years has meant adapting to changing tastes, shifting supply chains and the way people furnish their homes.
In the early days, many manufacturers and suppliers were based in Brisbane. Today, the search for quality and distinctive pieces stretches much further.
“We work pretty hard to bring unique products to the town, but I think that’s why we’re still alive,” Issy said.
“So we've got a lot of Aussie-made suppliers as well as suppliers across Asia and even Italy.
“We bring furniture in from all over the world to give the community something different and something that stands out against our competitors.”
With a background in interior design, Issy has brought a more contemporary edge to the furniture selections she curates, while still holding onto the classic pieces Burnups customers have loved for generations.
She is also carrying on the same commitment to quality and variety that has endeared Burnups to generations of Whitsunday customers, with each piece on the floor chosen to be the right fit for someone’s home.
“Customers are everything,” Issy said.
“We’ve always tried to offer a product that is good quality at a down-to-earth price.
“We want to look after the people who shop with us and help make their home theirs. We want to give everyone our positive service and quality product, as we want to see them come back every time.”
