Oliver Gilpin’s Drapery store in Fitzmaurice Street about 1931. Picture: Bob Douglas
Oliver Gilpin opened his first O. Gilpin drapery store at Korumburra (South Gippsland) in 1895. The business grew rapidly with the Wagga store opening in 1915 and by 1928 there were a total of seventy-four shops.
Although remembered by some as somewhat bigoted and eccentric, Gilpin was undoubtedly successful and had some modern ideas including the employment of women, an employee incentive scheme, mail order business, and recycling.
Oliver Gilpin died in 1942 and the chain now numbering 91 stores was eventually purchased by G J Coles & Co in 1951 for £1,250,000.
You’ll find more information about Oliver Gilpin and his drapery stores here and here
Membership of the Wagga Wagga and District Historical Society is open to anyone with an interest in the local and regional history of Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia. For more information about us and information on how to join our Society please visit our website at https://www.wwdhs.org.au/about-us/members
