GANMAIN pies have become an iconic fixture in bakeries across the Riverina.

But after 29 years of service and 12 years as owners, Ann and Steve Webber last week listed the much-loved Ganmain Bakery for sale.

As the weather begins to warm up, Ms Webber is hoping this will be the last fast-paced winter Steve will be putting in 80-hour weeks.

“It has been good fun but it is time for a change,” Ms Webber said.

Though the bakery has expanded over the past 20 years to serve cakes and pastries, the traditional meat pie remains a firm favourite in the eyes of customers – even the flavoured curry and steak pies faced a fair fight for affection.

“Originally we started to do just a few for us and it was funny, because people wouldn’t buy them,” Ms Webber said. “When someone comes into the shop and asks for a ‘normal’ pie, we say it’s not just a ‘normal’ pie.”

Though the shop front officially operates five-and-a-half days a week, Ms Webber said the wholesale side of the business has a seven-day turnaround. Despite the drought the bakery has maintained strong growth over the past decade. Ms Webber said Ganmain proved to be an ideal central location for the business, delivering pies to Griffith, Leeton, Wagga, Howlong, Tumut and West Wyalong.

Taking with them decades of community support and lifelong friendships with other Ganmain proprietors, Ms Webber is excited for the next phase of life’s adventures.

“I won’t be doing anything for six months,” Ms Webber said with a laugh.

“I want to get my garden organised – and my house needs a good clean.”

With the laugh aside, she said although Steve may get itchy feet after a couple of weeks of not working, plans for a few relaxing holidays are fixed firmly in her sights.

The sale of the Ganmain Bakery is being tendered by Peter Campbell from Peter Campbell Real Estate.

Phone 0412 694 069 for further details.