FitzGerald's Department Stores
Encyclopedia
FitzGerald's Department Stores was Tasmania
's largest chain of department stores.
The chain was rebadged and relaunched as Harris Scarfe
in 1995, and the renamed stores continue to trade today.
in 1981.
It was by far the largest Tasmanian department store retailer, with a substantial flagship store in Hobart
with frontages to Collins Street, Murray Street and Elizabeth Street.
FitzGerald's also had substantial stores in Launceston
and Burnie (occupying the site of a former theatre), as well as stores in suburban Hobart (Eastlands and Moonah
) and a small (600 square metre) store in New Norfolk (occupying a general store built in 1914).
When the Venture
chain of department stores collapsed in 1994, FitzGerald's acquired and rebadged the Venture stores at Devonport
and Ulverstone.
Briefly, between 1993–1995, FitzGerald's operated a store at Forest Hill
in suburban Melbourne
. This became Harris Scarfe, and is now a Myer.
In 1995, after incurring annual trading losses exceeding $2 million, the FitzGerald's chain was merged with Charles Davis' Harris Scarfe department store chain, with all of the stores being brought under Harris Scarfe management and rebadged as "Harris Scarfe".
The stores continue to operate under the Harris Scarfe banner, with the exception of the New Norfolk branch which closed in 2000 and Eastlands (circa 2002), while the Hobart store has been substantially reduced back to its original Collins St frontage only.
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
's largest chain of department stores.
The chain was rebadged and relaunched as Harris Scarfe
Harris Scarfe
Harris Scarfe Department Stores was founded in Adelaide, South Australia in 1849. At its peak, Adelaide was home to several major South Australian department stores , of which Harris Scarfe is the sole...
in 1995, and the renamed stores continue to trade today.
History
FitzGerald's was a Tasmanian majority family owned department store business until it was acquired by Charles Davis LimitedCharles Davis Limited
Charles Davis Limited was a company established in Hobart Tasmania in 1847.The company was founded by Charles Davis, an Englishman who had been transported to the Tasmanian penal colony as a convict....
in 1981.
It was by far the largest Tasmanian department store retailer, with a substantial flagship store in Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
with frontages to Collins Street, Murray Street and Elizabeth Street.
FitzGerald's also had substantial stores in Launceston
Launceston, Tasmania
Launceston is a city in the north of the state of Tasmania, Australia at the junction of the North Esk and South Esk rivers where they become the Tamar River. Launceston is the second largest city in Tasmania after the state capital Hobart...
and Burnie (occupying the site of a former theatre), as well as stores in suburban Hobart (Eastlands and Moonah
Moonah, Tasmania
Moonah is a central business district and a large suburb within the greater area of Hobart, Tasmania. Moonah lies in the Local government area of City of Glenorchy. It was originally land given free to settlers along the banks of the New Town Rivulet. These areas eventually became known as the...
) and a small (600 square metre) store in New Norfolk (occupying a general store built in 1914).
When the Venture
Venture (department store)
Venture was a chain of discount department stores operating across Australia. It was developed by South Australian department store John Martins and was first opened in 1970. The chain grew to cover much of the country...
chain of department stores collapsed in 1994, FitzGerald's acquired and rebadged the Venture stores at Devonport
Devonport, Tasmania
-Sport:The Devonport Football Club is an Australian Rules team competing in the Tasmanian Statewide League. The Devonport Rugby Club is a Rugby Union team competing in the Tasmanian Rugby Union Statewide League...
and Ulverstone.
Briefly, between 1993–1995, FitzGerald's operated a store at Forest Hill
Forest Hill, Victoria
Forest Hill is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 18 km east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Whitehorse. At the 2006 Census, Forest Hill had a population of 9315.-History:...
in suburban Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
. This became Harris Scarfe, and is now a Myer.
In 1995, after incurring annual trading losses exceeding $2 million, the FitzGerald's chain was merged with Charles Davis' Harris Scarfe department store chain, with all of the stores being brought under Harris Scarfe management and rebadged as "Harris Scarfe".
The stores continue to operate under the Harris Scarfe banner, with the exception of the New Norfolk branch which closed in 2000 and Eastlands (circa 2002), while the Hobart store has been substantially reduced back to its original Collins St frontage only.