MAIN STREET BUSINESS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19861, 26 July 1934, Page 8

MAIN STREET BUSINESS

ALTERATIONS IN HAND Although it is not uncommon for business premises in Stafford Street to change hands at intervals, there has recently been a re-shuffle in a section of Stafford Street North, which, within a short space of time, has brought about many changes, some of which involve extensive constructional alterations. There has been a tendency of late to brighten up the appearance of Timaru’s shopping area, and it is now pleasing to find that from the Old Bank corner for some distance up the street, the new type of suspension verandah is to be found in an unbroken line, while its erection in other parts of the town is also an indication that main street property holders are not slow to recognise the improvement the modem verandah design makes to a business frontage. The many building alterations of late, some of which are at present in hand, also serve to demonstrate the confidence that is felt in Timaru as the business centre of South Canterbury. The recent re-shufflq in premises commenced when Millers’ Ltd., recently took over Marriott’s drapery house. R. P. Carter has taken the premises vacated by Millers’, while the Star Stores have moved higher up Stafford Street into smaller premises recently vacated by Morison’s. The shop recently occupied by the Star Stores is at present in the hands of the builders, and extensive alterations are being made to accommodate Woolworths, which propose to open a branch in this town. Woolworths’ premises will have a frontage to Stafford Street of 32ft, and will be 115 ft deep, with storage room at the back to a depth of 165 ft. The extreme width of the shop will require some of the heaviest steel ever used in building construction in Timaiu to support the upper floors. Porters* premises adjoining will also be remodelled, and it is expected that the whole of the work will take seven weeks. Other outside interests, it is understood, contemplate opening three separate shops in the same stretch of Stafford Street.

Another main street change was brought about when Burtons’ premises were converted into two shops, both of which are now occupied, the changes being capped off by the establishment of a new grocery business in premises recently occupied by J. M. Miller.

RE-SHUFFLE OF PREMISES