Rogers Central Store
(Later Max Richardson Pty. Ltd.)
W J Rogers arrived in Katanning in 1901 and set about establishing his store in Clive Street. He later purchased CA Harris’s Central Store on the opposite side of Clive Street and, by 1904, Rogers was ready to build his own much larger premises.
In July 1904 tenders were called for the new Roger’s Store, the architect being F W Burwell of Fremantle. [GSH, 23/7/04] The new two-storey brick building had two entrances from Clive Street and three big windows for the drapery, boots, ironmongery and groceries.
Above – Rogers Central Store – c 1905
There was also provision for a big storeroom on the ground floor and on the top floor, there were an extensive showroom and spacious living quarters for the family. [GSH, 30/07/04] The former store is a two-storey brick building, with a flat corrugated iron roof concealed by a parapet.
The store is now occupied by various businesses, including Bakehouse Boutique and Katanning Travel Center. Unfortunately, the verandah was removed so that the facade now appears stark as it has also been rendered and all the joinery has been replaced, including all the shop fronts. An undercover walkway was added to the arcade in April 2001.
Various photos of the Rogers building
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SILVER JUBILEE
Rogers Limited.
CELEBRATE SILVER JUBILEE.
Great Southern Herald
1 December, 1926
Today (Wednesday) marks the completion of a quarter of a century’s successful business by the firm of Rogers Limited, the well-known “Central Store” owners.
Twenty-five years ago, Mr. W. J. Rogers came to Katanning and, after making a tour of the district, purchased the business then owned by Mr. C. R. Harris. From the outset he proved a keen and calculating businessman with the result that he has built up what now may be considered an institution of importance to the whole of our prosperous district.
Mr. W. J. Rogers might well be proud of the result of the years of hard work incidental to the progress of such a business as that carried on by Central Store, where one can go from department to department procuring practically their entire needs, from food to eat to rainment to wear and in the hardware section tools for use either in the house or on the farm or bench.
Looking along Clive Street towards the Flour Mill
In addition to the splendid store business he has built in our midst during the period under review, Mr. W. J. Rogers has made time to assist in the public life of the town and district, having done splendid work for a number of years as Chairman of the Road Board. He is a life mender of the Agricultural Society, and since its inception, has been closely identified with the Local Committee of Repatriation, Katanning Hospital Comforts Committee, Church of England Girls’ School; in fact almost every movement that has stood for the advancement of Katanning.
We congratulate Rogers Limited, and Mr. W. J. Rogers in particular, on the consistent progress made over a quarter of a century and we are confident in stating that the good name, both of the firm and its principal will be associated with one of the most important decades in the history of our town and district.
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EXPANSION
Town Progress
BUSINESS PREMISES EXTENDED.
ROGER’S CENTRAL STORE ENLARGED
Great Southern Herald
25 July 1928 – P2
The enlargement and extension of the Katanning Town Hall seems to have created in this town a precedent for building expansion. Shortly after the local governing body transformed the civic building from a comparative hovel to an edifice which was in keeping with the dignity of Katanning, town businessmen, spurned into action by such a mark of progress, sought to reflect the “change for better times” in similar terms.
The firm of Rogers Limited undoubtedly has brought its store to a standard which justifies the cognomen “Central.” When. several months ago, the lease of the Zareefa Restaurant expired, the management was able to. take full advantage of the generous frontage to the store and extend the premises by removing part of the restaurant which encroached on both lower and upper floors. The result was that the block was squared with the frontage and more space was made available, which enabled extensions in four departments.
Walking through the main entrance, one is immediately struck by the change. The various departments, with ample room for displaying the firm’s comprehensive stocks, have the air of an up-to-date city emporium. The spaces previously occupied by the drapery, millinery and hardware have been doubled, and clients are afforded the opportunity of inspecting a variety of any one item before making a purchase.
The improvements upstairs have not yet been completed, but within a short time the furniture section will be extended and purchasers will be enabled to inspect increased stocks of this merchandise on double the floor space now occupied by this department.
The display windows have been redesigned and frequent changes of their contents induce the passer-by to inspect thee more comprehensive stocks on the floor inside.
WILLIAM JOHN ROGERS
William John Rogers
William John Rogers was an important member of the Katanning community and a very successful retailer who began with modest premises and expanded into his larger Central Store. Rogers was also a major influence in the move to buy the Roller Flour Mill when it ran into trouble in the mid-1920s. Read more
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MAX RICHARDSON PTY LTD
Formerly Rogers Central Store
The building as it stands today
Robert Maxwell (Max) Richardson was born in Katanning in 1907, the son of Robert Lawson and Eliza (nee King). He was a merchant and business proprietor in his own right. He joined the family company in 1924 and, in 1950, formed his own company with the purchase of Rogers Ltd in Katanning. He renamed the business Max Richardson Pty Ltd and eventually retired 1972. He also served in WW2 1941 – 1945 and was educated at Guildford Grammar.
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