Barlows Shoe Stores

The Barlow family history would not be complete without coverage of the Barlows Shoe Stores which have have been a retailing icon in Adelaide for over a century.

14 Market Square, Tunstall England

Arthur William Barlow managed a shoe store in Tunstall in the early 1890's. This would have been a remarkable achievement for a man only in his early twenties. It is not known why he entered shoe retailing but shoe manufacturing was an active industry in Staffordshire. His wife's family lived in Brampton Silk Mill House which was one of the houses attached to Brampton Mill. Coincidentally the mill ceased manufacturing silk in 1875 and was converted to a boot and shoe factory (Crispin Shoe Company). He married in 1891 and moved in to fairly cramped accommodation above the store. His first son Arthur Reginald was born in 1892. This shop still exists and is now a Travel Agency called "worldchoice."

14 Market Square
Tunstall
Staffordshire
England

C2000

Front doorway
14 Market Square
Tunstall
Staffordshire
England

C2000

Stairs to cellar
14 Market Square
Tunstall
Staffordshire
England

C2000

106 Murray Street, Gawler, South Australia 1893 - 1906

Arthur and his family migrated to Adelaide in 1893. He considered opening a store in Adelaide but found the rents too high. He was offered a shop at 12 Rundle St but the rent of Ł10 per week plus rates and taxes was considered ridiculously high considering that he was only paying Ł2 per week back in England and that included living quarters. Acting on a recommendation he visited Gawler but to his surprise found the town was deserted. Fortunately while waiting for a return train he discovered that he had arrived on the Wednesday half day holiday. He returned the following Saturday and found the place was crowded.

Two weeks later he opened his first shoe store at 106 Murray Street. The 1894 edition of Sands and McDougall's South Australian Directory lists Barlow A. W. boot salesman, Murray St Gawler. His wife Emma found time to help in the store as well as make numerous additions to the family. Gawler was a regional hub to both the copper mining at Kapunda and Burra as well as surrounding farms and mills.

In 1848 James Martin established what was to become the town's lifeblood. The James Martin and Co. Engineering business employed nearly seven hundred men building anything from farming equipment to bridges and locomotives. Arthur's shop prospered.

Hard times in the rural sector and the production of trains at the Government owned Islington workshops meant James Martins' business began to decline and by the early 1900's the business ceased to operate. The retrenched workers headed towards Adelaide. With Gawler in decline Arthur closed the store in 1906 and also set his sights on Adelaide.

Until recently the A.W.Barlow Boot Store sign could be seen faintly on the ironstone side wall of the building. It has now been painted over and the building is occupied by Lindco Real Estate.

106 Murray Street
Gawler
South Australia

2001-12-21

St Vincent Street, Port Adelaide, South Australia 1898 - 1930's

In 1898 a store was opened in Port Adelaide which was then a thriving commercial centre and port. Sands and McDougall's South Australian Directory lists Barlow AW & Co boot warehouse, St Vincent St, Port Adelaide. Arthur placed a man named Stanway whom he knew from England as Manager. Stanway proved to be dishonest and was sacked a short time later.

The store was sold during the depression years in about 1930.

The Parade, Norwood, South Australia 1899 - 1903

In 1899 a store was opened in the Parade, Norwood. Later Arthur was approached by Stanway with a proposal that his father-in-law finance him in to one of the shops. Arthur knew his father and mother and considered them fine people. Stanway was offered Moonta and Norwood and he picked the latter. Stanway again proved to be a poor Manager and accumulated a huge debt which forced the closure of the store. The South Australian Directory does not mention the Norwood store after 1903.

Kadina, South Australia 1902 - 1930's

In 1902 a store was opened in Kadina which was prospering due to the mining of copper. The store was sold during the depression years in the early 1930's.

Wallaroo, South Australia 1904 - 1905

In 1904 a store was opened in Wallaroo which was a busy shipping port. It closed the following year.

Moonta, South Australia 1904 - 1930's

In 1904 a store was opened in Moonta. The store was sold during the depression years in the early 1930's.

Port Pirie, South Australia 1904 - ?

In 1904 a store was opened in Port Pirie. It closed some time between 1908 and 1914.

12 Rundle Street, Adelaide, South Australia 1906 - 1909?

With Gawler in decline Arthur established his first store in Adelaide in 1906. Coincidentally this was the same store which he had considered and rejected when he first arrived in South Australia.

10 Rundle Street, Adelaide, South Australia 1909? - 1930

It is assumed that the change from No 12 to No 10 Rundle Street resulted from a street numbering change but this has not been verified.

The Mail 11 Oct 1913

NOTHING LIKE LEATHER

MR. A. W. BARLOW ON BOOTS.

A GROWING AND EXPANDING INDUSTRY.

Noticing some rebuilding being carried out in the premises occupied by the A. W. Barlow Shoe Store, 10 Rundle street, a representative of 'The Mail' bailed the genial footwear vendor up, and had a chat about his large and growing business.

"How long is it since you started business?" was the first question. 'I have been in the boot trade since I was 14 years of age, and have been 20 years on my own. I first opened in Gawler, afterwards in other country towns, then came to Adelaide eight years ago; starting in the No. 10 Rundle street shop. Five years ago I bought out 'Messrs. A. Dowie & Sons' retail store, 63 Rundle Street."

''What success have you had with the business?"

"Since then I have gone steadily forward, business has increased by leaps and bounds, every year being better than its predecessor.''

"To what do you attribute that?"

"I attribute it to giving sterling value for the very minimum cost to the purchaser. You see, ever since I started business I have been in a position, to buy for spot cash, and obtain goods that are manufactured out here. I have a friend in London who knows the shoe trade from A to Z. He has a free hand, is constantly on the alert, has plenty of funds at his disposal, and is thus enabled to. pick up some very large lines at a price, which gives me the opportunity to retail here at actually less than the ordinary wholesale prices. Then, again, in these States there are many others, and with our heavy spot cash buyers they can sell to us at far less than the larger manufacturers, as they have no overhead expenses, thus enabling us to sell to the public at specially low prices. There are many small manufacturers who specialise in just a certain line of boots, and we know just when and how to purchase from these.

"What induced you ' to commence additions at No. 10 Rundle street?"

"Our lease of the premises there has recently expired, but we have been fortunate enough to get a renewal of it, and are now making the place nearly double the size. This will enable us to display a much larger and more varied stock of boots and to supply, better accommodation for our ever-increasing number of customers, and better facilities for our assistants to attend to our clients with quickness and dispatch."

"Do you specialise in anything?"

"I. personally," said Mr. Barlow, "make a very special line of infants and children's boots and shoes, and always have done so. I claim to give most excellent value in those lines."

"What about your new premises?"

"The builders are now pulling the place down, and will proceed with the work expeditiously. I expect it will be finished about December 1, and I can assure you our many customers and the public generally will be astonished at the extent of the alterations."

''What are you doing with your stock' in the meantime?"

"It must be disposed of at a sacrifice. We are determined to clear out at once many thousands of pounds' worth of boots and shoes at less than their cost to manufacture. We must clear them out, as there is no place to put them, and new stock is always coming forward. I can assure you that no expense is being spared to make the store one of the finest in the city."

"Have you a good staff?"

"Yes, one of the best in the whole of Australia; at least, that is my opinion. My Kadina manager has been with me ever since I first started in business 20 years ago. My Moonta manager has been with me for almost 20 years; in fact, most of my staff have been' with me many years."

"That speaks well for the treatment they get. And in conclusion what have you to say?"

"Just this. My advice to the public is get right on the job at once and secure the bargains. It's 'first come first served,' and the early purchaser will catch the best bargain, and when you just think we are selling shoes at less than they cost to manufacture it's an opportunity that does not often occur."

63 Rundle Street, Adelaide, South Australia 1909? -

By 1909 Arthur had established a second store in Rundle Street, this being the main shopping precinct in Adelaide.

67 Rundle Street, Adelaide, South Australia ? - 1961

Some time after 1917 a store at 67 Rundle Street showed in records. It is assumed that the change from No 63 to No 67 Rundle Street resulted from a street numbering change but this has not been verified.

In June 1926 Arthur purchased 67 and 67a Rundle St. Other tenants were Bullock Cycle Stores and Stump & Co.

The business was sold to his son Clarence and a Major Smith from the Salvation Army who had worked in the store. They later on sold to the Whittenbury family in 1961. The store continues to trade under the name A. W. Barlow.

93/95 Rundle Street (Barlow Buildings), Adelaide, South Australia ? -

At an unknown time Arthur purchased the property at 93/95 Rundle Street also buying out the lease of the Crown Studios who were the tenants. He then erected Barlow Building consisting of ground plus two floors. Phil Angus-Parsons was the Company Secretary. Barlow Building was never used as a shoe store and was always tenanted. The building was sold in 1980 or 1981. The building was demolished in July 2011.

Barlow Buildings
93/95 Rundle Street
Adelaide
South Australia

2001-12-22

A.W.Barlow Shoe Stores Ltd

In Nov 1930 Barlow Shoe Stores, Limited, was registered in South Australia with a capital of £25,000, in shares of £1 each.

Shareholders: A. W. Barlow, R. A. Barlow, C. A. Barlow, H. R. Barlow, and Emmie Barlow. Managing director. Mr. A. W. Barlow.

6/8 Rundle Street, Adelaide, South Australia 1930? - ?

In July 1930 Arthur purchased the property at 6/8 Rundle Street for £46,000 which had previously been leased. This building housed the studio of Hammond & Co (photographer) and Central Hamshop and there was no change to the tenants. This store was managed by his eldest son Reginald. In 1950 Reginald was joined by his younger son Rhodes.

During the 1960's the store was extended through to the back lane. During the alterations it was found that the building had only bluestone for foundations and there was a stream running under the building which would explain why the salt damp had reached the second floor. When the rear yard was pulled up a well was found. Rhodes went down the well (the architect refused because he thought there may be gas) and retrieved a couple of old bottles. Unfortunately while Rhodes went to wash his hands someone took the whiskey bottle. The remaining one which has a rounded bottom so that it must be stored on its side is still in Rhode's possession.

The basement had a fireplace and a historian advised that earlier owners would have lived in the basement, running their business on the ground floor and drawing water from the well.

Paul Barlow at No 8 Rundle Street

C1955?

The Fire

Shortly before 4.00 p.m. on Saturday 1st October 1966 a fire broke out on the third floor of the building and despite the efforts of eleven fire appliances it was about an hour before the blaze was brought under control. The building was unoccupied at the time and there were no casualties. The top floor and attic were extensively damaged and were never rebuilt. In addition all the stock was water damaged. Other tenants in the building included Mr F. J. Galbory, the proprietor of Hammer Studios on the first floor who found the fire had destroyed or damaged much of his photographic equipment. C. Matthews Tailors on the first floor and Mases Meat store at No 6 on the ground floor were also impacted.

That weekend many of the Barlow family were in Port Pirie to attend the wedding of Paul Barlow. Police displayed good detective work in tracking down Reg Barlow at the wedding reception. When presented with the bad news he accepted it with good humour and quipped "Did they expect me to drive back to Adelaide and put it out!"

In 1993 the shoe store business was sold to Mr Ray Charlton. This severed the last link between the shoe store businesses and the Barlow family. In ? the property was sold for $2M.