History Notes - Barraba businesses

History Notes – Barraba Businesses

134 Queen Street

This was owned by Excell & Malcolm in 1900. They owned only half the present building.  This was the end closest to the Commercial Hotel.  On August 6, 1900, the founders of the firm, Messrs. W. H. Dean and J. G. Smith decided to strike out in business on their own. Both gentlemen had formerly been in the employ of J. Richardson, Ltd., of Armidale. They bought the general store known as Excell and Malcom. The value of the stock at the beginning was £2000. There were three employees. From the beginning, the firm grew as the result of the energy thrown into it by its founders.  Part of the current site of the store was originally occupied by Otto Rabe, tobacconist, and A. J. Doring, saddler.

In 1905 Dean and Smith replaced these shops, building commercial premises with ornate art deco parapets and gables. Between 1909 and 1910 Dean and   Smith rebuilt the store, extending it to its present length. It outgrew its original premises until in 1925 its total floor space exceeded 14,000 square feet and its annual turnover was £76,000.  In 1936 the store was taken over by M. C. Mackenzies Ltd of Glen Innes. It was the main store in Barraba and a major employer in the town, employing up to 58 people. 

M.C. Mackenzie & Sons took over from Dean and Smith and in Barraba’s heyday, had 64 people on their staff.  After Mackenzies left, Barry and Betty Shields had the business.  It was then purchased by Karl Letzner and Diana Simms in April, 1989.  They sold to Harold and Margaret Marshall in August, 1997 who sold out to John and Sophie Hopkins.  It has changed hands a number of times since and is now IGA.

Mr. W.H. Dean was a valued member of the Barraba community.  He was President of Barraba Parents & Citizens Association and was instrumental in achieving the construction of a Manual Training room for the Barraba Public School in 1933, which was named “The Dean Room” in his honour, and which is now part of the Museum.  He was also a member of the Lodge, Barraba.

 Other Businesses

In the early days, Indian hawkers used to come around in a horse and wagon selling their goods.

Jack Garske, Ted Garske’s father, had a meat cart for some time.  He did his killing on his farm, Box Hill, and delivered around town.  This was in the early part of the 1900s.  For many years, Jack Garske had a Clydesdale stud at Box Hill.  Each horse was sold with the understanding that if it didn’t pull, you brought it back and got one that would.
 Aubrey Brett had a Scrap Yard at his house.  The original house was pulled down and replaced with a brick house.  This house was right at the end of Edward Street.  There used to be a road that ran from Queen St. over the hill and joined up with Edward St.  Bert Robinson lived in the house on the top of this hill.

Phong Suey had a market garden across the river from Barraba Rural Traders.  This Hardware business was started by David York and Ken McCusker and then taken over by Karl Letzner and Diana Sims.  It is now run by Trent and Lanie Hartwig.

Rupert Myers had his undertaking business on the corner of Fitzroy and Maude Streets across the road from the Anglican Church.  His father ran the business before Rupert.  Fletcher’s now run an undertaking business at the top end of Edward St.

Other Items of Interest

There was a suspension bridge across the river in Cherry Street.  It crossed the river at the bottom of Edward Street.  The present bridge over the river was built in about 1935.  There was a wooden bridge which was situated to the left of the present bridge.  The brick abutments on each bank where the old bridge was, were still in place about 2003.

Where the Medical Centre is now was the Police paddock.  The remains of the stables were pulled down to make way for the Medical Centre.  The Police Station was for a long time behind the Court House.  There were old buildings behind the new Police Station which were used as garages but could have been old stables.