Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence
Latimer Bros
The Latimer brothers arrived in Coffs Harbour in November 1906. [MR. WILLIAM LATIMER. (1906, November 30). The Raleigh Sun (Bellingen, NSW : 1898 - 1918), p. 4.]
They moved into newly built premises in June 1907. [BUILDING OPERATIONS. (1907, April 9). Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 - 1942; 1946 - 1954), p. 2 (Edition 2); LATIMER'S, THE NEW FIRM. (1907, June 11). Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 - 1942; 1946 - 1954), p. 2 (Edition 2).]
They departed Coffs Harbour in June 1909. [CHANGE Of BUSINESS. (1909, June 25). Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 - 1942; 1946 - 1954), p. 2.]
Arthur Robins purchased Jack Foley's hairdressing business in January 1910. [Source: SPORTING. (1910, January 21). Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 - 1942; 1946 - 1954), p. 1.] This business was located in High Street, "about 20 yards from the corner". [Source: COFF'S POLICE COURT. (1910, January 21). Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 - 1942; 1946 - 1954), p. 6.]
In October 1910, the first eight shops were destroyed by fire. [Source: Disastrous Fire! Eight Shops Burned. (1910, October 21). Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 - 1942; 1946 - 1954), p. 2; Coroner's Inquiry Reveals; Suspicions Unfounded. (1910, October 21). Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 - 1942; 1946 - 1954), p. 2.]
The "Latimer Bros Auctioneers" sign must have been a leftover, because the Latimer Brothers had left town by mid 1909, and "A. Robins Hairdresser Stationer" didn't arrive until January 1910.
The Mathieson building which housed Arthur Robins was rebuilt in March 1911, with Arthur Robins again a tenant. [Source: Mathieson's Buildings. (1911, March 10). Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 - 1942; 1946 - 1954), p. 2.] However, the rebuilding of this section of High Street would not have included any "Latimer Brothers" signage.
Mathieson's Building was destroyed by fire again in 1914, at which point Mr Robins decided to leave for Armidale, a town made with buildings of stone. [Source: DISASTROUS BLAZE. (1914, July 22). Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 - 1942; 1946 - 1954), p. 2; Send-off to Mr. A. Robins. (1914, August 1). Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 - 1942; 1946 - 1954), p. 2]
Compiled by Museum volunteer Geoff Watts.
https://coffs.recollect.net.au/nodes/view/45920
https://coffs.recollect.net.au/nodes/view/45382
A Business Notice.
Latimer Bros, storekeepers, produce and general merchants, Coff's Harbor (whose advertisement appears on page 1), are now the oldest surviving firm in the town, and are strongly established as traders of the highest integrity. They are in every sense of the word Universal Providers from a country-resident's point of view, and it is possible to obtain from these stores anything required in the district, at prices that compare most favorably with Sydney.
There is a vast difference between a "shopkeeper" and a "country storekeeper" and the Latimer Bros. great success in business in Coff's Harbor is due primarily to the fact that they have a splendid knowledge of country storekeeping in all its branches. They know the class of goods to buy for their trade, and how to sell them.
It is their intention early in the coming year to make extensive additions to their store premises, as owing to their rapidly increasing business, they require more floor space. Besides attending to their business, they are strong supporters of every movement that has for its object the assistance of individuals or the advancement ot their town and district.
Their stock is very complete, and they do a big business in furniture, building material, galvanised tanks, and produce. . One particularly noticeable feature of their business is that every customer large or small, dealing at Latimer's, will always had at least one at the firm on deck and ready for business.
For the Xmas trade they have imported a grand assortment of seasonable goods for every department, and there appears no reason why anyone should send their orders to Sydney.
The firm's bookkeeping and correspondence system is most complete, embracing all the most serviceable modern ideas installed by Stott and Hoare.
A Business Notice. (1908, December 11). Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 - 1942; 1946 - 1954), p. 4.