1965: The end of Bebarfalds City Store

On August 31 1965, Bebarfalds closed its city store (at the corner of Park and George Streets, directly opposite Sydney Town Hall), which was located in what is now the Woolworths Building, home to Australia's busiest Woolworths Supermarket and a small-format BigW store. The closure was due to losses at its city store and the decision to concentrate on its profitable suburban and regional stores.

Source: Anonymous. 1965. "Bebarfalds Ltd. to close city store on August 31". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 24: 4.  

The reason for its closure was increasing losses at the city store. Suburban stores traded under the Bebarfelds name until 1973, when they became part of Macy's Emporium Pty. Ltd. 

The current tenant (Woolworths) would lease the space shortly following Bebarfalds closure Woolworths would open its Town Hall store the following year. 2026 is sixty years of Woolworths at its present city location. 

Source: Anonymous. 1965. "Mr Theo Kelly at Lovers' Corner". The Sydney Morning Herald, September 3: 11.

2006: The end of Gowings

Source: Gowings. 2006. "Closing Down Sale" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, January 16: 6. 

This year (2026) marks 20 years since Department Store Gowings closed after 138 years of trading, leaving Sydney with just two major department stores: David Jones & Myer.

It may have been a distant third behind the two majors in Sydney Department store chains, but it wanted to keep competing and also offered Sydney shoppers something different. 

Also, Gowings had outlasted many larger chains that either collapsed or were absorbed by competitors. 

But what saw its end?

Back in 2000, the department store arm was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) as Gowings Retail. In 2005, it was renamed as G Retail

In the years leading to its demise, it sought to expand into the suburbs for the first time, opening stores in Wynyard, Darlinghurst, Parramatta, Sydney Airport, and Hornsby. It was even planned to open stores interstate and turn it into a national chain.

The suburban expansion was unsuccessful, with the stores operating at a loss. Parramatta was of most concern, with millions lost and failing to accommodate the demographics of western Sydney.

In November 2005, an administrator was appointed to G Retail following reported losses of $13 million. The menswear chain Lowes had expressed serious interest in acquiring Gowings, but talks fell through. By December, administrators at Deloitte had decided to wind up the company, as no buyer could be found. On December 16, 2005, employees were notified that the stores would cease trading by the end of January 2006. The remaining stores were progressively closed, with the Market Street store closing on Sunday, January 29, 2006.190 employees lost their jobs as a consequence of the closure

Source: Brown, M. 2006. "Gone to Gowings no more". The Sydney Morning Herald, January 30: 3.

Following the store's closure, Gowing Bros sold the building to Amalgamated Holdings for $68.6 million.

Source: Stevens, J. 2006. "End of an era in store". The Daily Telegraph, January 28: 6.

Two decades later, the makeup chain Mecca occupies the space formerly occupied by the store. British fashion chain Topshop Topman replaced Gowings until its Australian stores stopped trading in 2020. Like Gowings, the Sydney CBD store was the last one to close. The rest of the building, along with the adjoining State Theatre, was converted for hotel use and now houses the QT Sydney hotel. 

While the Department Store no longer exists, Gowing Bros (the company that ran the store) still operates as a fund investment company, and the famous Gowings signage along its George Street side remains and is heritage-listed.

On January 27 2006, I managed to take these pictures of Gowings in its final days. They may not have liked me taking the pictures, but they do make a historical record of what it was in its final days.

Michael Evans wrote the following feature on the demise of Gowings, which was published in The Sydney Morning Herald on January 23, 2006.

Source: Evans, M. 2006. "This time next week it really will be gone". The Sydney Morning Herald, January 23: 17 & 18.

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. 

Remember This? Gowing's May Madness Sale Ad (1969)

Below is a 1969 newspaper advertisement promoting the "May Madness" sale at Gowings. Shoppers had the chance to win $1000 through a lucky number competition that was being run as an in-store promotion.

Source: Gowing's. 1969. "Gowing's May Madness Sale" (Advertisement). The Daily Mirror, May 8: 34 & 35. 

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 DEPARTMENT STORES: Demise of the Hordern Tree (1974)

Last week, I shared an entry on the end of Anthony Horderns focusing on the takeover of the company by Waltons in 1970. This week, I will focus on the demise of The Hordern Tree at Razorback Ridge near Camden.

Anthony Hordern's motto was "While I live I'll grow" and this was symbolised by a budding tree on the crest of their coat of arms. An oak tree at Razorback Ridge near Camden bore a striking resemblence to the tree and Anthony Hordern arranged with landowners in the 1920's to have the company motto plced at that location.

The 1960's was not kind to the Anthony Hordern's. It lost trade as rival department stores opened suburban stores along with the rise of shopping centres reducing the need for shoppers to trek to central Sydney to do their shopping.

In 1967, tree vandals tried to posion the tree but it was unsuccessful.

 

Source: Anon. 1974. "The tree vandals tried to kill". The Sun, May 10:31. 

However, the "Sygna" storm of 1974 would finally claim the tree when it split in two. This came months after Horderns Mid City store was closed by its owner - Waltons (Click here to read more about their takeover from 1970) the previous year. It is believed that the demise of the tree was linked to the end of the Anthony Hordern's Department Store chain. 

Source: Anon. 1974. "'While I live I'll grow' - no more". The Sydney Morning Herald, May 28: 2. 

SYDNEY DEPARTMENT STORES: The end of Anthony Horderns' (1969)

The demise of Sydney department store chain Anthony Horderns' extends for a longer period of time than what this entry will focus on.

This entry will focus on the sale of Anthony Horderns' in 1969 which marked the end of its existence as a department store chain.

In November 1969, the Brickfield Hill store which had traded for a century closed. This generally went unreported by the newspapers. I could not even find any "closing down" advertisements.

The following month saw its compeitors rival for control:

• Buckinghams Holdings Limited (Buckinghams) - $6 million offer
• Waltons Limited - $9.3 million offer

Developer Stocks & Holdings also joined in the frenzy, offering $8.6 million for the company.

   

Source: Riggs, C. 1969. "$8.6m city store bid is accepted". The Daily Mirror, December 3: 2. 

This proposal had been accepted by the company. 

As the fight for control ensued, the company sold its Brickfield Hill site for $8.5 million to the State Superannuation Board.

 

Source: Anon. 1969. "Hordern's Site Owner Named". The Daily Telegraph, December 24: 1. 

On 5 January 1970, Waltons gained majority ownership, when it accquired 36% of the company from its rival bidders - Buckinghams and Tjuringa Securities. 

 

Source: Anon. 1970. "Waltons claims victory". The Daily Mirror, January 5: 26.

Shares in the company (Anthony Hordern & Sons Limited) were delisted from the Sydney Stock Exchange on 8 April 1970, completing the take over process

Source: Anon. 1970. "The last day for Anthony Hordern". The Sun, April 8: 68.

Hordern's Mid City Store closed in 1973. 

SYDNEY DEPARTMENT STORES: Waltons Town Hall closing day (1987)

I was motivated to share this post after a recent posting of newspaper advertisements from a previous entry on the Old Shops Australia Group on Facebook.

I shared the advertisements, but I did have a newspaper clipping from the last day of trading at Waltons Store at Town Hall on 9 February 1987 before it would be demolished for the Park Plaza/Skytower complex.

It was anticipated that Waltons would return by October 1988, but that did not eventuate as the Bond Corporation struggled to obtain approval for their tower, and eventually sold the site to Kumagai Gumi and Sogo (Japanese Department Store chain) for approximately $278 million in 1989.

 

Source: Andrews, M. 1987. "Half-price clearance as an old shop shuts". The Daily Telegraph, February 10: 7. 

With items marked down to half price, an estimated 100 000 shoppers ventured through the doors creating an atmosphere like that of the Boxing Day sales. 

The Sydney Morning Herald (10 February 1987) reported that it took over an hour to clear the store as staff funnelled customers down towards the ground floor when the doors closed. For those still there, bargains of up to 80% were on offer 

Later that month, Waltons was sold by Bond Corporation to the Venture chain, marking the end of the Waltons Department Store chain. Waltons Town Hall was no more.

Related Entries

Remember this? - Waltons Town Hall Closing Down Sale (1987)

You may also find my series on the Evolution of the Citigroup Centre worth viewing as it was the redevelopment of the site that was behind the closure and demolition of Waltons Town Hall.

• Original 1982 Scheme
• Park Tower (1986)
• Skytower (1987)
• Park Plaza (1988)
• Park Plaza IV (1988)
• Park Tower (1990)
• Park Tower II (1994)
• Citigroup Centre (2000)
• Citigroup Tower & Galeries Victoria in 2018
• "What if" (What might have eventuated had any of the unbuilt schemes had proceeded.)

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. 

SYDNEY DEPARTMENT STORES: When McDowells was rebranded as Waltons (1972)

Source. Waltons. 1972. "Grand Opening Mighty May Sale" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, April 27: 18-19. 

McDowells was regarded as one of Sydney's smaller department store chains when compared against Grace Bros, David Jones, Anthony Horderns and Marcus Clark. The chain traded between 1889 and 1972 when it was taken over by rival Waltons at a cost of $6.6 million.

Following the takeover, its flagship city store at the corner of King and George Streets was closed and demolished for what is now known as IAG House. Six suburban stores - Bondi Junction, Caringbah, Dee Why, Eastwood, Hornsby and Rockdale were rebranded as Waltons. "Grand Opening" sales were used to promote the rebranding.

Source. Waltons. 1972. "New Department Stores" (Advertisement). The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, April 26: 20-21. 

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.