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| BIRCHALLS, BRISBANE STREET MALL |
Shopfronts change, businesses move in
and out, and the city is almost a living entity in that it grows and
evolves over time. Generally I embrace the interest and energy of
change, but every now and again I just don't want to let go. I am
not alone in feeling a sense of almost personal loss at the looming
end of Birchalls, the heart of the mall, and almost everyone's
favourite shop.
Usually I play around with the photos doing things
like taking out annoying power lines or accentuating the structure,
or just playing for the sake of it, but this photo is just Birchalls
as it is in February 2017, early in the morning before the customers
arrive. It seems right to present it “as is.”
There are a lot of references on-line
about the business, plus of course, you can look up lots of
information and early advertising in newspapers of the time via
TROVE. Birchall's site contains a brief history as well. I don't
know if this website will continue to be available, so if you are
interested you should look now! I won't “re invent the wheel”
and rewrite it all here but......
In summary the business has operated on
its current site since 1844. Prior to that, the Brisbane Street site
had been occupied by a pharmacy and later, by a confectionery shop.
Birchalls is credited with the invention of the writing pad, and has
always stocked books and stationary. Art supplies have been sold
since the early twentieth century, and various other sections ranging
from toys to cake decorating, giftware to snacks, have been
established to cater for local demand. It really has been the very
best sort of department store – and I cannot begin to say how much
it will be missed.
