For some, Father’s Day is a time for celebration and togetherness, while for others, it can be a more reflective occasion. For the first instalment of our Father’s Day series, we sat down with Tony Bisbas of Bisbas Hardware, a family-run store in Melbourne, first opened in 1978 by Tony’s father, and now a stalwart of Albert Park’s main thoroughfare. Known as something of a father figure to the area’s tight-knit community, it was only fitting that we spoke with Tony in honour of the occasion, to find out more about his journey into the family business and some of the lessons he’s learned along the way.
Meet Albert Park’s Father of the community, Tony Bisbas
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“I’ve been working with my father since 1989, since I finished high school,” Tony tells Assembly Label. “I wasn’t very good at school, so I thought I'd join the family business. When I jumped into it, I just thought ‘let's see how far we can take it’. [It] could be a year, ten years, twenty years… thirty-six years later we're still here.”
The minute you step foot inside Bisbas Hardware, it becomes clear why the store has such enduring appeal. From floor to ceiling, the shelves are stacked are an eclectic range of tools and supplies, catering to the needs of each customer that walks through the door. The space hums with a kind of organised chaos—inviting, full of character—and Tony’s service is friendly and attentive. It’s the kind of place where people come in for the tools but stay for the chat.
This personable, community-driven approach is one of the many things that Tony has learned from his father. Recalling memories of all the public figures who have visited the store over the years, Tony says “Dad didn't care who was famous, who wasn't famous, [he] would just go out of his way. And I think that's probably grown on me, where if someone comes in, I'll try and help them as much as I can.”
It’s a philosophy that still shapes his work today. With a loyal roster of regular customers, it’s not unusual for Tony to go above and beyond—another habit inherited from his father. “My dad used to go out of his way if he didn't have [something]. He'd say, ‘I'll have it for you in the next hour or two’, “he explains. “[He’d] get in the car, go to Richmond where wholesalers used to be, and he'd go get it and bring it back.”
Having been involved in the business for so many years, both Tony and his father have had the privilege of servicing multiple generations of customers. By fostering close relationships with many of his regulars and their children, Tony has often found himself offering words of guidance, particularly to those unsure of their path in life. “I always say to kids nowadays, do an apprenticeship or at least finish high school. If you struggle with writing, do a trade. Go see another country. Go see something,” he explains. “It doesn’t matter if it’s expensive or not, or the dollar’s this or the dollar’s that. Just go, because of the experiences it will give you, the character it will give you.”
While he’s reluctant to call himself a paternal figure in the Albert Park community, many of his regulars would say otherwise. “I’ve seen [some] of these kids since they were in their mums’ stomachs and now they tower over me and I’m looking up at them going ‘hey, how are you going?’,” Tony laughs. “But I love seeing them and I love even when kids walk past and go ‘hey Tony!’. So, seeing that keeps me going, it lights me up. And that’s what Albert Park’s all about.”
Though it’s rare to see Tony stray far from the store, one thing he’s looking forward to in the coming weeks is his annual holiday. “[I] work eleven months, travel one month a year,” he says. Given his Greek heritage, he often makes the journey back to Greece around this time of year, with his next trip lined up for mid-August. Another favourite destination is Thailand, where he enjoys going to switch off. “Thailand is where I go to do nothing. I work hard, [so] I enjoy it.”
As Father’s Day approaches, Tony’s story is a reminder that fatherhood takes many forms: whether through family, community, or the values passed down through generations. For the people of Albert Park, his presence at Bisbas Hardware is proof that the smallest gestures of care can leave the greatest legacy.