About Felix Reitano Real Estate
The staff of Felix Reitano Furniture and Real Estate are ready to help you!
The family firm is most probably the oldest family business operating in Ingham and is celebrating its 90th year of business in 2013.
Having traded in the Herbert River District since 1923, the family and their staff are ready to assist you with anything that you need.
The family dynasty was commenced by Felix Reitano 1st who had originally come to Australia from Italy, and worked for a time delivering fruit to the Governor’s House in Sydney. It was while he was in Sydney that he was taught English. He eventually moved to the local district and the business was originally commenced in Halifax at a room at the Commercial Hotel. Because he was able to speak both English and Italian he acted as an interpreter between both cultures.
Felix raised his family of four sons and two daughters on a farmhouse between Halifax and Taylors Beach – now called Reitano’s Road.
During the 2nd World War, despite his four sons being involved with the Australian Services, Felix was interned because as an interpreter he was seen as being powerful among the Italians, as he had been naturalized and was a Justice of the Peace.
He eventually moved the business to Ingham and commenced trading in the present Salvation Army Building. Older locals still recall the Auctions that used to be held around this site at the Central Sale Yards. The business had a number of sites around this Herbert Street area.
One of Felix’s sons, Felix 2nd worked in the business, specialising in furniture for many years. In 1972 the family moved its business to the current site at 109 Cartwright Street, Ingham.
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