Albany Drive-in Mart closing its doors as longtime owners take well-earned retirement

After more than 50 years of operation, Graham and Helen Tutt will close the doors of local icon the Albany Drive-in Mart at the end of the month and take a well-earned retirement. The “treasure trove of collectables” — stocking everything from furniture to books, records and kitchenware — is a maze of teetering shelves and colourful oddities waiting to be explored that is popular with tourists and locals alike. “The Mart” has been at the same location on Albany Highway since it was opened by Graham Tutt’s father Arthur Tutt and Graham Hicks in the 1960s. After the death of Mr Hicks in 1968, Arthur and Margaret Tutt bought the business from the Hicks family and the Tutt family have been running the business ever since. In 1983, current owner Graham Tutt accepted a partnership in the business, leaving his career as a draughtsman and boilermaker in Perth and moving his family down to Albany. His brother Alan joined a couple of years later in 1985. In 1992, Mr and Mrs Tutt bought the business from Graham’s dad and brother and have been running The Mart ever since, working a combined 70 years at the iconic Albany second-hand dealership. In 1985 the family started ADM Removals as an expansion of the main business, driving an old Ford truck. Although this business was closed in the mid-2000s, the truck is still a recognisable sight around town. Mr Tutt was a regular attendee at Snowball Auctions on a Thursday night and Friday morning, and could be seen driving the truck around town picking up furniture for The Mart. Most days he could be found smiling behind the counter, serving customers or tinkering with something he was polishing, cleaning or repairing. His son Gary said his parents were proud of the people they had employed and were always excited to hear from past employees. “To list all the items this shop has sold in its lifetime would take a lifetime, but one thing that was always guaranteed was the fantastic experience of exploring the aisles as you embarked on an expedition to explore The Mart,” he said. “With Graham entering the business in 1983 and Helen entering in as a partner in 1993, it seems fitting that they should both retire in 2023. Graham will have worked in the mart for 40 years and Helen 30, a combined 70 years and an amazing achievement. “The business they have continued and helped grow since taking over in the early 90s has helped many local charities, sporting clubs and community groups through sponsorships and donations, employed many local people, for most in their first job, and have had four generations of the Tutt family work in the store at one time or another. “When Graham and Helen close the doors for the final time on January 30, 2023, the Albany Drive-In Mart will have been operating for over 60 years and over 50 years in the one family.”