When Garry and Jan Alve decided to start searching for someone to purchase their Opossum World business, no one was more surprised to find their hand in the air than Lynette Jarvis.
"We made the decision out of the blue," says Lynette of how she and husband Ian came to be the new owners.
"It wasn't something I'd ever saw myself doing."
Opossum World's Marine Parade location was shuttered in late July, but it will reopen at 106 Hastings St on Saturday, October 22, with Lynette and Ian now in charge.
Lorne Moa will still greet shoppers as they enter the shop, and the popular - and free - Bird Walk and possum displays have been retained, but the new owners have made some changes to a business that built its reputation with locals and visitors for its clothing lines that blend opossum fur with merino wool.