HE'S been a friendly working face in the Whitsundays for 24 years now and tomorrow is Whitsunday Cellars manager Dougie Hargraves' last day.

Working in the Whitsunday Shopping Centre at the bottle shop besides Coles, Mr Hargraves has worked for the Reef Gateway Hotel for more than two decades.

Whitsunday Cellars assistant Dianne O'Neill said herself and co-worker Sharon Price would dearly miss working with their friend and manager.

"He just has a very down to earth manner and is always willing to share a joke with tourists and locals - just everyone," she said.

Mr Hargraves originally started working at the Reef Gateway Hotel before transferring to a manager's role at the bottle shop.

Marino Roberto of Marino's Deli said he was a face the Whitsunday Shopping Centre would miss seeing regularly.

Goodness Gracious owner Helen Pike said her team would miss his infectious morning smile.

Cigarettes Tobacco Cigars owner Lorne Sanders said Mr Hargraves had a great attitude for retail.

"The industry definitely needs more people like him," he said.

Reef Gateway Hotel general manager Craig Bradley said Mr Hargraves had been a loyal employer.

"The amount of sick days he had in almost 25 years you could probably count on one hand. He was extremely loyal, had a great relationship with customers and will be sorely missed," he said.

Whitsunday Shopping Centre marketing manager Amy Manning said the centre wished him the very best with retirement.

"He's just an all-round great guy whether as a friend or colleague," she said.

Mr Hargraves immediate retirement plans are to visit family in Canberra as well as his two sons and their families on the Sunshine Coast.