Owners Heather and Neil Tait have put the land homing the iconic potato up for sale. 

The Robertson couple opened the Family Grocer 27 years ago and purchased the neighbouring potato-land just four years ago. 

“We decided to buy the potato from Jim Mauger after another grocery shop intended to open in competition,” Heather said. 

“But to open they needed to buy the potato land and turn it into a carpark.”

So, Heather and Neil decided to buy the potato to save their business and keep the Big Potato around for the community. 

Heather and Neil are both 65 and decided it was time to retire. 

“It’s just time for us to finish up,” she said. 

“But we won’t sell the shop without the potato.” 

If you’re not familiar with the Big Potato, it was built around 1975 by Jim Mauger, and is the focal point of the tiny Highlands town. Robertson used to be a strong potato-growing town, and the potato represents that time in history. 

“The potato is a local icon, it’s not the prettiest thing but it’s so unusual it’s a joke,” Heather said. 

In fact it’s so unusual that people from right across the country have visited Robertson to see the giant starch in person. 

“We sell Big Potato t-shirts and mugs and stubby holders and you should just see people,” Heather said. 

“They run in and buy a whole bunch of shirts, put them on and then go and get a whole bunch of photos with the thing!”

Heather and Neil have already had two offers on the potato, but both have been refused. 

“We won’t sell the land before the shop,” Heather said. 

Heather and Neil hope the fun and enjoyment of the potato will continue for years to come. 

“The town would be devastated if it were ever to be taken down,” 

“It’s such a ridiculous monument that it’s eye-catching and a it brings a lot of pleasure to the community.”