1969: Grace Bros Roselands Fire

Myer at Roselands Shopping Centre was meant to close in July, but will remain in the shopping centre until January next year, when its lease concludes. By its closure, it would have traded for 61 years, opening originally as Grace Bros, before rebranding in 2004 (alongside all Grace Bros Stores). Grace Bros was also the original owner of the centre.

During its decades of trade, its lowest moment was on June 13 1969, when a fire broke out at the store, estimated at $3 million. The top floor of the department store and roof caught fire. The roof also collapsed. There was water and smoke damage to the rest of the store and the shopping centre itself.

The fire began around 4:15 pm and was likely triggered by an electrical fault in the switchbaord.

Above: Coverage from The Daily Telegraph, June 14, 1969.

Source: Anonymous. 1969. "Roselands store wrecked by fire". The Sydney Morning Herald, June 14: 1 & 9. 

"The smaller shops on the lower floors" (The Sun, June 14 1969) were reported to have reopened the next day, while Grace Bros was able to resume trading exactly one week after, even if it was a partial reopening.

Source: Davis, G. 1969. Sprinklers off as fire raged. The Sun, June 14: 2. 

Source: Anonymous. 1969. "Back to Business". The Daily Telegraph, June 17: 3

The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader (June 18 1969) also featured good coverage of the fire along with photographs.

  

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Grace Bros Chatswood Office Tower (1969)

Full Citation Below

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Grace Bros were focused on expansion into the suburbs. Grace Bros had opened in Chatswood in 1961 and were keen to expand the store. In 1969, a proposal was submitted to Willoughby Council for a retail development. An enlarged Grace Bros department store would anchor the centre, along with specialty stores and additional parking, which would cross over Anderson Street (as Westfield does at present) into the block bounded by that street, along with Albert Avenue, Spring Street, and Victoria Street. 

The footprint, in effect, encompasses the current Westfield complex. If Grace Bros had proceeded with their expansion plans, the layout of Westfield Chatswood would likely be different today and would have had implications for any future expansion or development that Westfield undertook. With Grace Bros having a more established shopping centre, Chatswood Chase may not have been built, meaning Chatswood may not have two major shopping centres today.  

 

Source: Anonymous. 1969. "$20 M Bonanza". The Daily Mirror, March 6: 2.  

Westfield would eventually develop the block that was to have been developed by Grace Bros, opening in 1986. The expansion of the department store did proceed, opening the following year (1970), which was featured as Stage 1 of the project. The store would be integrated into Westfield Chatswood in 1999 as part of an expansion of the centre. 

SYDNEY RETAILING: More Midnight Shopping Clippings (1987 & 1989)

After my entry on the Pitt Street Mall hosting the first Midnight trade evening in September 1987, I found another two clippings relating to another two instances where retailers could trade until midnight. In one instance, one retailer decided to begin the day's trade at midnight.

Christmas 1987 - Kmart

Source: Coren, D. 1987. "Crowds Flock to Shop Late". The Daily Mirror, December 23: 2. 

On 23 December 1987, Kmart opened stores at Blacktown, Hornsby and Merrylands at midnight as part of extended Christmas trading and was a "great success" according to Blacktown store supervisor Jim O'Reilly. 

Midnight trading was allowed on the thursday before Christmas in 1988 (22 December 1988). Below is a newspaper advertisement for Bankstown Square as published in The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader on 20 December 1988.

Mothers Day 1989

 

Source: Knowsley, J. 1989. "Traders Clash On Midnight Opening". The Daily Mirror, May 12: 16-17.

Retailers were allowed to trade until midnight on Thursday 11 May 1989. Westfield decided to keep its centres open until midnight. Westfield claimed it was successful, but there were some that felt it did not work out and the anticipated extra trade did not eventuate. 

Christmas 1989

Westfield repeated the extra late trading on the last Thursday before Christmas in 1989 with a midnight close on 21 December. 

Source: Westfield. 1989. "Open Today and Every Day until Christmas (Advertisement)." The Sunday Telegraph, December 17: 149. 

Peter Fitzsimons also wrote a feature on the extended late trade at the Grace Bros City Store for The Sydney Morning Herald. This was featured in a previous entry focusing on Christmas in 1989.

Source: Fitzsimons, P. "To some, night is the time for shopping. " The Sydney Morning Herald, December 23: 2. 

Related Entries

• Christmas Snapshot: 1989
• Sydney Retailing: Midnight Shopping (1987)

SYDNEY RETAILING: Midnight Shopping (1987)

Source: Anon. 1987. "Midnight Mall A Smash Hit". The Sun, September 25:5.

In 2022, its possible for Sydneysiders to shop very late in the evening, though the offerings are limited. Selected Woolworths and Coles Supermarkets can trade until midnight. Several Kmart stores trade 24 hours. 

It has aided those who work outside of normal business hours or shift workers or those in desparate need of something and cannot wait until the following morning.

 

Source: Anon. 1987. "Midnight Bonanza" The Daily Mirror, September 22: 15.

Thirty five years ago, Sydney took a bold step in retail trading hours when for the first time, retailers were allowed to trade until midnight.

It was a one-off event - 24 September 1987. Retailers in the Pitt Street Mall were allowed to trade until midnight that evening as it was the first thursday evening of trading since the mall's opening on 19 September 1987.

Normally on a Thursday evening, retailers would close at 9pm, which meant that shoppers could shop an extra three hours.

And shoppers in the Pitt Street Mall were also treated to live entertainment.

Source: Anon. 1987. "Pitt St Mall jam-packed on party night". The Daily Telegraph, September 25: page unknown.

The night was a great success. Shoppers relished the opportunity for the extra late trading and entertainment. Retailers were impressed. Grace Bros' City Store recorded a single day trading record with over $1 million in sales, The Mid-City Centre reported that their daily sales were up 40%.

Source: Phillips, B. 1987. "It's Mall Mania!". The Daily Mirror, September 25: 8.

Related Entry

MILESTONE: Pitt Street Mall turns 30 (1987)

MILESTONE: Westfield Liverpool turns 50 - Opening (1972)

 

Yesterday (28 August), Westfield Liverpool turns 50. Last week, I shared newspaper articles associated with the unveiling of plans by Westfield and Grace Bros to build the shopping centre in the Liverpool CBD. Click here to view that entry.

As promised, I will focus on the opening which occurred fifty years ago. The centre was opened by NSW Premier Sir Robert Askin. 

Source: Anon. 1972. "The West Gets Its Westfield". The Daily Mirror, August 29: 54.

Source: Anon. 1972. "The Birth of a Store". The Daily Mirror, August 28:30.

Construction took less than 12 months. Grace Bros was the anchor tenant with 20 000 square feet of space along with Target and fifty five shops.

Below is a Grace Bros Advertisement as published in The Daily Mirror on 28 August 1972. It was a true one-stop shop. Fifty years later, Grace Bros (now Myer) no longer sells pets, liquor or groceries or even a bite to eat.

   

 

 Source: Anon. 1972. "From the Corners of the World". The Daily Mirror, August 28: 30. 

 A major expansion in the 1990's saw the centre expand westwards absorbing Macquarie and Northumberland Streets to create a "superblock". Currently the centre has over 320 retailers, a six-fold increase since 1972. Event Cinemas, BigW, Kmart, Coles, Woolworths and JB Hi-fi are also major tenants. 

Plans were proposed in 2019 for an eight level office building along with additional retail space, entertainment and dining precinct. Construction has yet to commence.

Related Entry

MILESTONE: Westfield Liverpool turns 50 - Plans are unveiled (1969)

MILESTONE: Westfield Liverpool turns 50 - Plans are unveiled (1969)

Full citation below.

Next Sunday, (28 August) will be the 50th Anniversary of the opening of Westfield Liverpool in 1972. To mark the anniversary, I have organised a two part series focusing on the unveiling of plans in 1969 and sharing some material that was published in newspapers from its opening in 1972.

Source: Anon. 1969. "$8 1/2 Million Shopping Centre". The Daily Telegraph, December 9: page unknown. 

This week, I will focus on the unveiling of plans from 1969. Grace Bros announced that it would anchor the new Westfield Shopping Centre that was to encompass nearly one block, bounded by Macquarie Street (Hume Highway), Campbell Street, George Street and Elizabeth Street. Apart from Grace Bros, the initial plan called for a smaller sized department store and fifty shops.

Plans were lodged by Westfield with Liverpool Council on 8 December 1969. 

Source: Anon. 1969. "New $8.5m Shopping Centre". The Sydney Morning Herald, December 9: 9.

Grace Bros indicated that the 20 000 square feet of space would be as large as its Bondi Junction store and provided an opportunity for growth. It would not impinge on the trading area of its Parramatta and Roselands stores as Liverpool was located "on the fringes" of both trading areas. 

Remember this? Boxing Day Sales Ads in 1996

Welcome to our annual summer series - Remember This? 

The past few years has seen the frenzy associated with the Boxing Day sales in our retailers has diminished as Australia embraces the Black Friday Sales that are part of life in the United States. One does not have to wait until after Christmas for a deal. One can find a good deal at any time or is prepared to wait for a sales period. Mid year stocktake sales may not get the attention that Boxing Day sales get, but you can still snap the same type of bargains.

A quarter of century ago,  Boxing Day Sales were the sale that was most anticipated. The 1990's might be regarded as when the frenzy was at its peak. The recession of 1990-1991 saw people become more frugal with their money. In 1992, shoppers at Grace Bros Sydney CBD were injured as part of a stampede. Even a security officer was injured. I'll leave it to a future entry.

Boxing Day sales did not commence on Boxing Day itself in Sydney in 1996. Retailers were closed for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Once the shops closed on Christmas Eve, the decorations immediately came down and the promotional signage for the sales would appear. This is one tradition that does not change.

Below are three newspaper commercials promoting the Stocktake Sales at Grace Bros and David Jones which were published on either December 26 1996 or December 27 1996 in The Daily Telegraph.

Grace Bros

David Jones

 

Below are two additional advertisements for BigW and Toys "R" Us, also published in The Daily Telegraph on December 26, 1996.

BigW

 

Toys "R" Us

Christmas Snapshot: 1996 (Part I)

This year, I will continue my annual tradition of looking back at Christmas from 25 years ago. For 2021, I will look back at 1996.

Given the material available, I will again split this into a two part series. This week will focus on Christmas advertising from major retailers as featured in the metropolitan newspaper while next week will focus on the day itself.

Grace Bros

I have observed that as the 1990's progressed, major department stores were placing fewer advertisements in major newspapers. One exception was Stocktake Sales that follow the post Christmas period.

I found one advertisement for Grace Bros that focused on electrical and whitewoods.

Source: Grace Bros. 1996. "Gift ideas for the last minute Christmas rush" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, December 18: 16.

Discount Department Stores

There was not much advertised in newspapers for 1996. Discount Department Stores are traditionally big with retail catalogues sent weekly to homes. COVID-19 has resulted in less emphasis due to possible transmission.

For loyal Target Customers, how about 12 1/2 percent off provided you shopped on December 16. I miss those days as they have gravitated towards "everyday low prices" like BigW and Kmart. Target may not have the physical presence like they once had but should they consider bringing it back?

Source: Target. 1996. "12 1/2% off everything today" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, December 16: 17. 

"$2 Stores"/ Discount Variety Stores

Chain discount variety stores may no longer be with us with the exception of The Reject Shop but lots of bargains on offer, especially Christmas items.

Below is one from Clints Crazy Bargains.

Source: Clints Crazy Bargains. 1996. Untitled (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, December 3: 16.

Crazy Prices was part of the Woolworths Group until 2001 when rival Go-Lo purchased the chain. I remember them in Rockdale in the site once occupied by the Woolworths Variety Store.

 

Source: Crazy Prices. 1996. ""Have a Crazy Christmas at Crazy Prices". The Sunday Telegraph, December 8: 141.

Technology

Adults could still give toys - "big toys" of course. Electronics retailers were keen for their share of Christmas spending. 

Source: Tandy Electronics. 1996. "The Answer is [tick] Tandy" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, December 18: 33.

Below is an advertisement from Dick Smith Electronics.

 

Source: Dick Smith Electronics. 1996. "You'll find presents for the whole family that are Just Right at Dick Smith Electronics!" (Advertisement). The Sunday Telegraph, December 15: 34-35. 

Brashs had good savings on computers and software.

 

Source: Brashs. 1996. Untitled (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, December 19: 26.

Officeworks had plenty to offer at their "superstores".

Source: Officeworks. 1996. "Taking care of Christmas" (Advertisement). The Sunday Telegraph, December 1: 42-43.

For our shutterbugs, good camera deals. Digital cameras were yet to be seen commercially. I recently picked up a catalogue for Ted's Camera Stores and you can still buy film cameras and film if you really love old fashioned photography.

Kodak is still trading, even after bankruptcy in 2012. Cameras (digital and film) can still be purchased and still active in image processing, though they are a small player when compared with Canon and Nikon. Ricoh is also a small player in 2021. 

Source: G&V Imaging. 1996. "G&V Great Value Gift Ideas" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, December 19:26. 

Fletchers Fotographics (since merged with Ted's Cameras) had their own offers as well. 

Source: Fletchers Fotographics. 1996. "Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas". The Sunday Telegraph, December 15:29. 

Mobile Phones

Mobile phones can easily fit in a stocking and were a gift suggestion back then. Phones were either analogue or digital. 

Source: RetraVision. 1996. "Talking Gift Ideas...Talk to Retravision". The Daily Telegraph, December 17: 17. 

Source: Telstra. 1996. "Pocket-priced deals on the world's best brands from Telstra MobileNet" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, December 19: 18. 

Books

Below is a newspaper advertisement from Angus & Robertson Bookworld. It's been a decade since they stopped operating physical stores but is a major player in the online book market in Australia alongside Amazon, Book Depository and Booktopia. For bookstores the final three months of the year (October-December) are marked by the major book releases for that year, well timed for Christmas. 

Source: Angus & Robertson Bookworld. 1996. "Red Hot Wanted Books". The Sunday Telegraph, December 15: 121. 

And there was a rule-breaker...

For those wanting discounts, traditionally one has to wait until the post-christmas sales. In recent years Australia has embraced Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, based on the American custom of Black Friday sales which for them is their busiest trading day of the year.

In 1996, Pauls Warehouse broke the rules, deciding to have their end of year stocktake sale before Christmas. 

Source: Pauls Warehouse. 1996. "End of Year Clearance Sale" (Advertisement). The Sunday Telegraph, December 22: 137.

Supermarkets

Like other retailers, Christmas is a peak period for supermarkets especially in the final days leading up to Christmas as people stock up on fresh food for their Christmas Dinner

Woolworths 

Admire some of the fresh food specials. 

Source: Woolworths. 1996. "Santa's Savers!" (Advertisement). The Sunday Telegraph, December 22: 30-31.

Food for Less & Flemings

Source: Food For Less & Flemings. 1996. "Christmas Super Savers". The Daily Telegraph, December 18: 

Coles

Source:  Coles. 1996. "You can count on Coles for Christmas" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, December 19: 22 & 23. 

Next Week in Part II, we will look at Christmas Festivities.

SYDNEY SHOPPING CENTRES: Opening of Macquarie Centre (1981)

 

Source: Macquarie Centre. 1981. "Macquarie Centre Now Open" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, November 17: 15. 

On Wednesday (17 November), Macquarie Centre will celebrate forty years of trading. After a decade of planning and two years of construction, the centre was opened by NSW Premier Neville Wran on 17 November 1981.

Last week, I focused on Grace Bros' plans for the centre and its attempt to seek approval to build their centre. This week, as promised, I would share promotional content from various newspapers.

Key Facts at opening

• Approximately 145 retailers
• 3750 car parking spaces
• Grace Bros, Woolworths and BigW were the major tenants
• The first ice-rink to operate in a shopping centre in Australia and can be covered to accommodate other uses such as tennis and ballet. 

The Sun featured a centre directory including maps to aid shoppers navigating the complex.

 

The Sydney Morning Herald (November 17, 1981) published this sectional view to show how it stepped up.

           

Source. Anon. 1981. “Macquarie Centre Sectional View: Looking West. Image. The Sydney Morning Herald, November 17: 13.

Below is a Grace Bros advertisement to promote their new store.

 

Source: Grace Bros. 1981. “Grace Bros at Macquarie: Opens Today - Styled For The Year “2001”” (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, November 17: 16-17. 

Below are some selected features from the newspaper supplements.

The Daily Mirror (16 November 1981)

The Sun (16 November 1981)

The Sydney Morning Herald (17 November 1981)

 

 

The centre forty years later

COVID-19 restrictions in recent months have made it difficult for any Sydneysider to travel around our great city and hopefully in 2022, can do a follow up post on the centre today by visiting the centre in person. I have not visited the centre since 2017 when I went there for lunch.  Photography of the centre will pose a challenge, especially internal shots.