Melbourne and shopping have been hand in glove since the 1880s, and at its peak the city flaunted more than a dozen department stores. Today only the Big Two, Myer and DJs, remain, having weathered the economic downturns and threats posed by online shopping – so far.

Since the 1950s and ’60s there have been a swag of departures from the retail scene – Ball & Welch, Buckley & Nunn, Foy & Gibson, Mutual Store to name just a few. And more recently, who now remembers Daimaru in its former Melbourne Central home?

Seasoned shopaholics still lament the loss of Georges in 1995, but few tears are shed for Manton’s, once Melbourne’s favoured drapers.

Manton’s

Manton’s was established in 1925, specialising in fabrics and fashion, and catering to middle-class shoppers with its somewhat downbeat logo ‘It’s smart to be thrifty’.

Manton’s main competitor was Myer, and specialities included mantles, ribbons, corsets, laces, underclothing, millinery, hosiery, haberdashery, gloves and that lovely-sounding all-rounder, fancy goods.

The store was noted for its window and interior fashion displays, and lively print advertising campaigns orchestrated by the firm’s iconic advertising manager, Lallah Dredge. Stylish designs in pencil and watercolour were produced by Olga Farnsworth, Hertia Winter and, notably, by Lallah. You’ll find heaps of Manton’s haute couture creations from the 1920s in our catalogue.

L: Afternoon frock of flowered taffeta with organdie trimmings, 1929, Manton’s
R: ‘553’ Forenoon frock on bolero style of blue and plaid taffeta, Manton’s

Today, Manton’s is best known as the ghost department store that lurks behind Target’s beige facade at 236 Bourke Street. The history of this site is extraordinary, beginning with the Theatre Royal, one of Melbourne’s first entertainment venues, established here in 1855. Manton’s abutted the theatre, which it acquired and bulldozed in 1934. By 1937 the site was home to a strikingly modern six-storey art deco building designed by Jazz Age architect Harry Norris (of the Nicholas Building fame).

Manton’s fortunes had waned by the 1950s, and in 1955 the firm was bought out by GJ Coles & Co to the tune of £2 million. The site went on to became Coles’ Number-One Variety Store.

It’s thought that if you strip away Target’s exterior cladding, Manton’s horizontal Moderne facade will be revealed. One of the Melbourne Heritage Action group’s many campaigns is calling for the removal of the cladding and restoration of not only the hidden Manton’s/Coles facade but also the adjoining vestiges of the Hoyt’s De Luxe cinema, designed by William Pitt in 1915.

Exterior, Manton’s drapers, 226-236 Bourke Street, Melbourne, Lyle Fowler 1891–1969

Georges

While Manton’s targeted the middle classes, Georges’ focus was strictly on quality, from the clientele to the merchandise. For more than a century, the prestigious store was to Melbourne what Harvey Nicks is to London, Bergdorf Dorman to NYC and Isetan to Tokyo. Couture fashion, Parisian perfumes and designer cosmetics are de rigueur department-store stalwarts nowadays, but half a century ago only Georges represented international fashion and style in Melbourne.

What began as George & George’s Federal Emporium, established by brothers Willie and Harley George in 1880 and moving to its ‘Paris end of Collins Street’ location in 1889, evolved into one of the most exclusive department stores in Melbourne. The English-born George brothers honed their retail skills at London’s Whiteleys of Westbourne Grove before sailing to Melbourne in the 1870s.

Georges of Collins Street, model room, c. 1955–65, Sutcliffe Pty Ltd
(copyright restrictions apply)

Derided by some as only for snobs, to Melbourne’s elite the store was home away from home. Georges exceeded its company motto, Quod facimus, Valde facimus (What we do, we do well), offering the discerning shopper a hushed haven of deferential service, sophisticated ambience and exclusive international designer labels.

Georges was known for being the first for everything, thanks to Miss Reta Findlay, advertising manager (1937), associate director (1946) and then director (1959).

It’s not for you to compete with a popular store like Myers. You’ll never win. You need to be exclusive, different. You need to specialize and do certain things terribly well. You’ve got to get the very best, the best in the world,
things that other people don’t have.

– Miss Reta Findlay

The store’s other by-line was ‘universal providers’, and although its customers were select rather than common, its shelves were indeed stocked with every handpicked item you could wish for, reflecting the discerning taste of the store’s departmental buyers and overseas agents.

Georges’ signature attention to detail was evident at every stage in the shopping journey, including the lavish but discreet packaging. The store’s branded paper bags, boxes and wrapping paper symbolise the store’s style and legacy, and are preserved in the Library’s Ephemera collection.

At its mid-century height, Georges’ third floor was home to Young Sophisticates, offering clothing for the (slim) 16- to 60-year-old. The second-floor Young Colony department was a hit with children with its central fish tank, while fashionistas looking for the latest haute couture made their way to the first floor. Just like today’s department stores, Georges’ ground floor was reserved for perfumes and make-up – and Gucci. The Little Collins Street Hostess Store, meanwhile, offered everything for the homemaker. Changes over the years included swapping millinery for shoes, and the closure of the ladies’ cycling department and the store’s exclusive art gallery.

Georges of Collins Street, Young Colony, c. 1955–65, Sutcliffe Pty Ltd
(copyright restrictions apply)

Now that more than 20 years have passed since Georges closed its doors, it’s hard to convey a sense of the store’s sophisticated shopping experience. Stepping into the classical-revival arcaded entry via the couture-filled, glass-fronted displays. The stepped entrance to the ground floor, lightly scented by French perfumes and lit to flatter society’s best, with a dedicated Haigh’s counter and entire glove department.

Georges experienced many ups and downs in its 115-year history, swapping ownership with Ball & Welch and owned by David Jones since 1981. On its demise in 1995, Georges’ loyal customers were heard to mutter that it wasn’t the store that had failed but Melbourne, having failed to live up to the store’s standards of quality. But who can forget that heartbreaking (and wallet-breaking) farewell sale to beat all sales!

Georges Department Store, Wolfgang Sievers, 1973 (copyright restrictions apply)

The story of these lost department stores – including collection material not included in this post – currently features in our Changing face of Victoria exhibition, open daily on Level 5 of the Dome Galleries.


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This article has 57 comments

  1. According to my Aunt, Gwen Cairns (the wife of Labor leader Dr Jim Cairns) was a buyer at Manton’s in the 1930s. When Gwen Cairns attended another aunt;’s wedding in December 1938, my Grandmother thought that the once divorced,terribly chic Gwen Cairns was too ‘fast’.
    Manton’s was a store that traded to a well heeled customer and my fashion conscious Aunt,who was a factory machinist, bought an elegant hat trimmed with a bird that cost her six weeks wages on lay-by at the Bourke Street store.

  2. Payne’s Bon Marche was another store which closed in the 40’s in Bourkevst as well as Waltons

    • I regularly visited Payne’s in Bourke st in the 1960’s. The store was demolished and replaced by the now closed Hoyts cinema centre.
      The highlights of my childhood were the giant Santa on the front of Foys and the Coles cafeteria in the old Mantons store. Darrod’s was another famous store in Bourke street.

  3. Carolynne Bourne

    “Darling, always deal with the man at the top”

    I was around 10 years old and every Friday Uncle Jeff (Cleal) would drive Nanna (Ann [Jones] Cleal) to pick me up and drive us to ‘Georges’. There Uncle Jeff would wait in the car, a T-Model Ford. Nanna would be greeted at the front door by the Manager and he would show us to his office. There refreshments were provided.
    For Nanna there was tea and a two tiered stand of bite size cakes and finger sandwiches with crusts cut off. I was given a glass of milk and a plate to select pieces from the stand, then I was seated on a chair with a side table adjacent to where he and Nanna sat at his sizeable desk.
    There would be polite conversation and then Nanna would ask to be shown what she wanted to buy that week – for example gloves, veils for her hat and so forth. A purchase would be made. Graciously the Manger would walk us back to the front door.
    As we stood on the pavement waiting for Uncle Jeff to pick us up, nanna would be holding my hand and say to me , “Darling, always deal with the man at the top” … and this I have done. In my life’s journey it has stood me in great stead – I have been a Chief Medical Laboratory Scientist, a CEO and been honoured with a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

  4. Mantons became Coles’ Store 200 not number one, number one was in smith street collingwood, number 12 was on the site that is now David Jones mens’ store in Bourke st. store 200 also became Coles Head Office.

    • Hello Stella,
      I suspect the author may have meant the store was number one for sales volume. I can’t be sure of that. Just to clarify.

      A bit of trivia, my late Grandmother worked at the Bourke Street Store that became David Jones.

      I’ve become very interested in all these things as I’ve gotten older.

      Shame Coles isn’t as it was.Retail is changing I guess.

      its been beaut to communicate with you

  5. My mother was a shop assistant at Foy & Gibson in 40’s & early 50’s. She fondly tells us the story of how she was given so many gifts for her upcoming wedding to my dad she couldn’t manage to carry them home on the tram. My grandfather had to drive to the city from Preston to collect her & her gifts. Clearly well regarded by her colleagues & management. She went on to work at other retail establishments including Fletcher Jones.

  6. According to my research the Manton’s building was designed by H.W. & F.B. Tompkins in 1933, with a further extension in 1937, and not by Harry Norris. The Tompkins designs can be seen at https://viewer.slv.vic.gov.au/?entity=IE7556808&mode=browse, and there are several Trove articles referring to construction by the Tompkins firm.

    • Marjory calleja

      Love seeing and reading memories, I worked for F.W.Woolworth in Bourke St opposite Myer, then on the Coles next door after Woolworths was sold and made into a lot of little shops. For a country raise girl of 17 years I loved all the bygone stores it is ashamed that the city no longer has that feel about it. Oh I forgot what about when the post office was a post office

    • Interestingly H.W. & F.B. Tompkins aka Tompkins & Tompkins also built The London Stores Building ( Bourke & Elizabeth ) & The Myer (Bourke St) Emporium building.

  7. Dianne McKenzie

    My great aunt Bessie May Starr was the manager of the coat department at Sharpe Bros. department store in Melbourne in the 1940’s, possibly earlier.
    It was considered, at the time, a ‘career girl’ job. I think that meant she worked full time and was reliably immune to getting married.
    Her family were proud of her role at Sharpe Bros. and in my family photos of her she was always smartly dressed.

  8. My Very First Job Was Working At Walton’s In Bourne St, Just Next To Public Benefit Shoes,I Was Working In The Mail Room in 1970, I Can Also Remember There Were 3@ Lifts Operating With Immaculately Presented Lady Attendants, If My Memory Serves Me Right, I Think There Was Sue, Jean, Patricia,And One Other Lady I Just Can’t Remember Her Name, I’m Pretty Sure There Uniform Consisted Of White Blouse And A Pale Green Skirt, and Black Shoes!

    My First Job I Had To Do In The Morning Was Get A Copy Of The Herald Sun And Go To The Shares Index For Walton’s and Put The Identical Numbers and Letters On A Black Velvet Board With White Numbers And Letters In The Staff Canteen, For All Employees To See, I Might Add As Well That Nearing The End Of The Day, When I Finished At The G.P. O. That I Would Call In At Get A Milkshake At The Restaurant And It Really “Hit The Spot”!

    It Was An Absolute Joy Going To Work In That Era, as Everyone Cared For Each Other And Everyone Took The Time To Look Well Presented.

    Three years Later, I Worked For Walsh’s Department Store Ex: Leviathan C/R Bouke And Swanston St, Whereupon I Would Met Up With My Girlfriend Eva At 9:00PM On A Friday, Then Head To The Southern Cross Hotel For Ten Pin Bowling And A Snack In The Lounge, and Spend About An Hour Or So Then Get The Train Home.

    PS: I Also Remember Mum Taking My Brother and Sister Into The City and Seeing The Huge Santa Claus On The Facade Of The Foys Building and Then Having A Day At Myers And Going To The Cafeteria, Where My Auntie Joan Worked As Head Cashier, Then Off To Get A New Outfit For All Of Us, And Then Our Photos Taken With Santa Claus, Which My Sister Presented To Me For My Last Birthday, Which I Haven’t Seen For Over 50:Years!

  9. Loved reading about all the Department stores I remember going into the city with my Mother those were the days where you got good service. I don’t think that you mentioned Treadways Department Store in BourkeSt. I also remember going to Myers Basement at Christmas time and there was a Snowman with a plastic tube you put money in the slot and you got a snowball. then there was a small train for rides and lots of other fun things.We did not have much money but they were the best times in my memory.

  10. My Husband’s Auntie Ruby worked in “The better Gowns” at Darrods (The style store)

  11. Mention should be made of Regents Place in Collins Street which closed when the City Square was built. Ernest Hillier, Peter Piper Bookshop, Tim the Toyman – and on the east side (which I imagine still remains) the Regent Plaza cinema, the London Tearooms…

  12. And not forgetting Ball & Welch in Flinders St one up from the old Gas & Fuel building (which remains the property of the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne). In the 50s, family trips to ‘town’ always included lunch at the Ball & Welch cafeteria.
    Also should make mention of Buckley’s (Buckley & Nunn) next to Myers – now David Jones. Holiday jobs for me each year in such departments as Men’s Mercery, Manchester, Boys’ College Wear, etc. ‘Cash or Entry, madam?’

  13. Does any one remember were the Major Eight store was located in the city ? also was the name constructed by the Eight initial share holders, ? In some ways it was like a Harvey Norman of the time

    • Thanks for your question John. I’ve transferred your inquiry to our Ask-a-librarian service.
      You’ll be hearing from us soon.

      Paul

  14. Elly Mantzaris

    I’ve been searching online but not easy to find any detailed reference in text or images for “The Inn Shop” (or “The In Shop”), from the mid 1970s which was a funky multilevel mini department store in Bourke St, opposite Myer – I’m sure where the 2nd David Jones store is now. It was only there for a few years, but was a dazzling fashion haven for boutique iconic labels such as The House of Merivale and other local and international designer labels, as well as jewellery, makeup, music and an on-site hair salon – all capturing the zeitgeist of the groovy glittery 70s era. It was an Aladdins cave of fashion treasure for a wide eyed young teen like me at the time, and I’d love to relive the memory of it with adult eyes. Does anyone have images or info they can share?

    • Thanks for your question Elly. I’ve transferred your inquiry to our Ask-a-librarian service.
      You’ll be hearing from us soon.
      Paul

    • Hi Elly, I remember both of those stores, they were both my favourites in the 70’s. I used to catch the train into the city every Saturday to see what was new in. I used to buy patchouli oil perfume from the Inn Shop. Another beautiful store was The House of Merrivale & Mr John. Did you hear back from anyone?

    • The In shop was right opposite David Jones and Myer.
      Ted Markstein and his business partner, whose name I have forgotten, opened the first In Shop in Sydney, which started as a menswear shop, then decided to treat Melbourne with their own In Shop.
      Most of the merchandise was imported and a big percentage was chosen by Ted who travelled to Europe and Asia constantly.
      When he and his partner, Ilsa came to Melbourne, they used to stay with us in South Yarra and so we often saw the wonderful samples that were destined for the shop. Ilsa was tiny and exotic and made wearing the wonderful men’s clothes into her own style.
      In the dreary, conservative world of Melbourne in the late 60’s and early70’s, the In Shop was an astounding eye opener.

    • I recall the In shop being on the first floor of Darods in Bourke Street. Every Friday Doug Parkinson would perform, live.

    • In Shoppe. Hey Elly, Check this out, (very 1970’s)
      https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/262460206?searchTerm=In%20Shoppe, 309-311 Bourke St, NOT the Coles/David Jones Building, but the other side of Union Lane, You may also recall MYER introduced The “Miss Shoppe” around the same time.
      Checkout Google street view (2018) of 309 Bourke st Melbourne, Curiously its called “In Shop Fashions”

    • I remember the In Shop in what is now the Bourke Street Mall..the building was recently demolished to make way for a big highrise developement in the amll….In Shop had a mens section called “Another World” …I found a funky black Napoloeon collar mens evening jacket many years ago which has a label “Rage exclusive to Another World” .

  15. Robert Thompson

    My late granfather built Treadways in 1935 builders Thompson and Chalmers Pty Ltd 113 Mount Alexander Road Flemington Vic.

    • Hi Robert I am also related to the Treadways
      My brother and I have been trying to find anything we can about it
      If you know anything more you might drop me a line
      Regards Grant Brown

  16. Barbara Clayton

    My mind goes back to these places. First is Myers basement where you could get wonderful strawberry ice cream with real strawberries served in a metal dish. Coles cafeteria with blue and white mosaic tiled flooring, also a fountain which dispensed ice cold water. Monday sale day at Myers. The roof top at Myers also, at one stage even selling houses, Christmas entertainment with Santa where they moved after being in the basement. The magic of the Wurlitzer organ rising with the organist playing at the Regent theatre. The Spanish decor of the Plaza, the wonderful State theatre with its ceiling looking like the sky, to say nothing of the nude statues. The one designed by Walter Burnley Griffin with the ceiling with lights that changed colour. I was lucky enough to hear the organ at the Melbourne town hall when it had to be worked by firstly being pumped with air. The wind swept through the Hall causing all to wonder what was happening. I
    could go on forever with my memories but can only say Melbourne is not the same.

  17. Barbara Clayton

    My mind goes back to these places. First is Myers basement where you could get wonderful strawberry ice cream with real strawberries served in a metal dish. Coles cafeteria with blue and white mosaic tiled flooring, also a fountain which dispensed ice cold water. Monday sale day at Myers. The roof top at Myers also, at one stage even selling houses, Christmas entertainment with Santa where they moved after being in the basement. The magic of the Wurlitzer organ rising with the organist playing at the Regent theatre. The Spanish decor of the Plaza, the wonderful State theatre with its ceiling looking like the sky, to say nothing of the nude statues. The one designed by Walter Burnley Griffin with the ceiling with lights that changed colour. I was lucky enough to hear the organ at the Melbourne town hall when it had to be worked by firstly being pumped with air. The wind swept through the Hall causing all to wonder what was happening. The service was great also in stores some provided seats and remember the cushion placed on the counter if purchasing gloves? I remember Melbourne as a classy place, what will be remembered of the present.
    could go on forever with my memories but can only say Melbourne is not the same.

  18. Does anyone remember the name of the shopping complex that was either the top end of Collins Street or it may have been Bourke that had a grand double staircase and was similar to Collins on Collins in that it had lots of separate shops unlike Myer or David Jones? I think it closed in the early 1990s…its name was something like Forelli…Diadora…? I’ve been wracking my brain for weeks. Thank you! Michaela.

    • Hi Michaela,
      Thanks for your question. A librarian will be in touch shortly.
      Paul

    • I know the one…. (drumroll)… Figgins Diorama. It was rebranded as the shop of shops – it was opposite Georges in Collins Street.

    • Figgins Diorama & then renamed The Shop of Shops. It was wonderful:)

    • Hi Michaela and you are probably referring to Diorama in Collins St and later it became the Shop of Shops. Started by the Figgins family , the Midas shoe people. It only lasted about 19 months when the GFC hit. Don Figgins and his wife were killed in a plane crash. It had a yellow Rolls Royce which would pick up wealthy socialites and bring them to the store to shop. A really beautiful building and much of it is still there as offices and apartments..

    • @Michaela Adams, (couple people have mentioned the name but more detail:) It was Figgins Diorama, at 171 Collins St, south side between Swanston St & Russell St. Had 2 shops fronting Collins St, with the internal shops around a central dome ceiling. Some internal features, such as the dome & the staircase were retained from previous cinema that was there. (Site had been vacant for a while before bought by Don Figgins, known for the Figgins Shoes & Shoebiz retail chains.
      Site later, changing hands, became ‘Shop of Shops’ which closed about ’94 or ’95.

      There’s photo of with it on this State Library website, that shows part of Figgins Diorama, but photo is a Collins St photo, so only shows it from a side view.
      There are photos of the Mayfair Theatre (cinema) which it was from 1975-1982, & the Metro Theatre Collins St (cinema) which it was from 1934. Theatre Frontage is still there, & the 2010s rebuild has a multi-floor central atrium which somewhat reflects the design of the Tait’s Auditorium (concerts & theatre type shows) that preceded the Metro Theatre.

      *Site is 167-171 Collins St. The cinemas are listed as 167 Collins St (see Sands & McDougall directories on SLV), Figgins Diorama & current are as 171 Collins St.
      Don Figgins & his wife Helen died in 1994 due to a helicopter accident, & family took over the businesses, with those wrapped up early-mid 2000s

    • Figgins Diorama I think it was – diagonally opp Georges on Collins; often referred to as just Diorama, it comprised many individual ‘concession’ stores.

  19. Hi

    I have a 1911 ‘The Mutual Store’ diary. It is very small but in OK condition.
    What should I do with it?

    Patricia A-G

    • Hello Patricia – thankyou for getting in touch regarding your copy of the Mutual store diary for 1911.

      Here is a link to our Collection offer form – https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/collection-offers

      If you could complete the form, someone from the Collection Curation and Engagement Team will contact you regarding your offer.

      Many thanks again for thinking of the State Library collections.
      Jane

  20. My sisters and I used to stay at the Victoria Hotel every January after working at our country town silo . I would spend my wages on some dresses to wear in my early teaching days. We would walk the city for a couple of days checking all the fashions and then buy from Portmans, Katie’s or Myer. This was in the late 60’s. Always went for a sentimental visit to Renee Rose , where mum had bought her wedding frock in 1946. Always had a walk through George’s but expensive. One year my aunt and her daughter stayed at the Victoria too and my aunt was a well known client of Georges’and took us with her while she shopped. She was met at the door by two men who seemed to know her well and we were ushered to the ladies’ department where we were all served tea and biscuits then a lady paraded clothes for her. She selected an autumn floral frock in tones of gold and orange, her usual colours and then accessories were brought out. She also bought a coat and a couple of skirts . While there I filled out a form for fun for an account and was amazed that a maroon store credit card arrived a couple of weeks later. We also went to Young Colony and her daughter tried on several velvet dresses finally selecting an olive coloured frock, then matching patent leather shoes. Reminded me of the movie “ Pretty Woman”. We didn’t carry any purchases away to the Vic but they arrived soon after in a variety of store marked George’s boxes carried by two of the staff who took them up in the lift to my aunt’s room. We also visited a few other shops in Collins Street, the only street she shopped in. She did say that she had once bought a shirt for her husband in Myer.
    When we were younger in the 1950’s and on holidays, we stayed at Chelsea or Edithvale in holiday houses and dad brought us in to the city to see the Christmas lights, the skipping girl vinegar neon light, the flying red horse petrol neon light , a walk past the Myer windows and we had a day in the city with a visit to Foys rooftop carnival , a pantomime, or movie at the State theatre and lunch at Coles cafeteria. We wore our best clothes with little mesh gloves and straw hats. Mum bought us a new best dress . In later years a visit to the Southern Cross was on the agenda, but George’s was in another world for me. My daughter now works for ISPT a superannuation company which owns the Foys building and she is the manager of “ Foys Arcade” the digital hub on the top floor. Many nostalgic mementos from Foys are part of the decor. Lovely building to visit. I’m sure Melbourne still has many delights but none better than those I remember from those times. I bought my wedding dress from Katies’ bridal floor in 1974. Ah memories!

  21. Does anybody know of ancestors of clauscen’s furniture store bourke street melbourne. I have something that may interest them

    • Hi Sue, Thanks for reading our blog.
      I will log your questions with our reference service and one of our librarians will be in touch.
      Paul

  22. I see no mention of Loves department store in downtown Melbourne. The store went into liquidation in the early sixties.It was a lovely place very similar to the store depicted in the British comedy series are you being served.

  23. I was 15 when I started working at Georges, how proud my mum was of her daughter working at such a store.
    To be honest at that age I really didnt comprehend what an important piece of history I was lucky enough to be a part of. I finished there after seven years but the memories still remain.
    The quiet as you walked through the levels it really was like been in a different world.
    In the building that now houses the apartments used to be where all the office staff worked and the mail room etc. We sat at old desks smoking while we worked wonder what became of those old desks they dont make them like that anymore.
    On the very top floor you could go up some really old stairs to a storage area. Wow it was like stepping back a hundred years.
    Drawings dress designs and sketches of models wearing them , sign in books from years ago. Old hat boxes, I still have a christmas decoration that I found it was so old and had a chip so small , so I got to keep it. I am now 54 and still put that on my tree every year and smile.
    I often wondered what became of this old dusty stuff that was put in the attic, I really hope it was saved and not destroyed I would say it is priceless now it really told a story of fashion over many years.
    I was so blessed to have been a part of Georges

  24. I went to school at St Patricks College East Melb.[ next to the Cathedral.] The city was our
    playground. Lets not forget the men and boys wear shops / London Stores, Leviathan
    and at the top of Bourke St, Peter Jackson [ then a barber shop and trendy clothes ] The place to go for a crew cut in the 50s and coloured sports shirts. A quick look around at the Melbourne Sports Depot, a DownyFlake doughnut after foot training at Old Scotch Oval.

    • Hi Steve, I have tried to find information about the Leviathan store for a long time. Do you have any ideas where I could find out about its history and the people who worked there.Regards Trish

  25. Stephen McLaughlan

    Figgins diorama / shop of shops (established by the Figgins shoe people rather optimistically.) The customers who could actually afford their “imports” would buy them next time they were in Europe – the rest of us enjoyed looking anyway.

  26. Does anyone have much information on the Georges Fashion Shows of the 1950s? I’m currently writing a fiction novel set in this era and the rag trade as well as Georges play a significant part. I do have the book, Remembering Georges which has some great information, but thought I’d check here also. Many thanks, Vickie.

    • Thanks for your question Vickie.
      I have logged this with our Ask a librarian service- and a staff member will be in touch shortly,
      Paul.

  27. Seems no one remembers Bourke Appliances, more fondly know as Bourkes.
    In conjunction with the ACTU ( B Hawke ) Bourkes was responsible for the end of Retail Price Maintenance.

  28. I would like some photos and history about Darrods department store. It was next to Myer in around 1960.
    Also Patches Bridal and Evening wear in Swanson Street across from the Town Hall. It was there for decades and would have still been there in 1960.

    • Blair Gatehouse

      Thanks for your question Pauline.
      I have logged this with our Ask a librarian service- and a staff member will be in touch shortly.
      Regards,
      Blair

  29. Christopher Furey

    I joined Georges in October 1971, initially in the men’s suit Dept where I organised all the necessary alterations and delivered garments to and from the numerous outworker-tailors. In 1972 I was selected as one of about a dozen young staff to take part in Divisional Merchandise Manager Ray Crow’s Executive Cadet Retailing course and in 1973 was appointed at just 20 years of age as Buyer of Young Men’s Fashion in a Department known as The Key Shop, located on the Lower Ground Floor between Men’s suits and the Men’s shoe Dept.I remained in that role until I left Georges in August of 1978 to take an entirely different career path. My time at Georges was life-changing and instilled in me the concept of real service without servility. I have always disputed claims that Georges staff were snooty or over-bearing. I never saw anything like that and it would have been stamped out very quickly had it occurred. Indeed it was a fun environment in which to work and some of the staff parties were truly outrageous. More than 50 years since I started there, I still have valued friends from among the staff and clientele.

  30. I am a daughter of Effie Joy White (nee Drinnan) who worked for Georges in the late 40’s to mid 50’s. She was a work colleague and friend of Phil Atkins who was an instigator of the Young Colony department. She also worked in the lingerie department. I am after any information regarding my mothers employment at Georges and wanting to know what records you may have during this time frame.

    • Hello Joanne, thank you for your enquiry. I have lodged it with our Ask a Librarian service you will receive a response soon. Regards, Kylie

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