Rockhampton store Stewarts turns another page in 163 year life
One door might be closing in beloved clothing store Stewarts’ journey, but the story is far from over for the business that has been serving Central Queenslanders for over a century.
Rockhampton
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She has been the face of Rockhampton’s Stewarts Department store for decades.
However, the owner of the iconic retail store on East St, Denise Woods, announced her retirement this week.
Ms Woods has headed the store, which is 163 years old for a generation alongside her brothers; helping customers choose their outfits, and guiding the landmark institution through decades of change.
The Woods family bought the store in the 90s.
With the announcement of her departure also came the news that the ladies department at Stewarts will close and all ladies stock will be sold.
However, the men’s section of Stewarts will continue to operate and will be expanded.
That particular part of Stewarts has its own claim to fame as the shadow federal treasurer Joe Hockey bought clothes from the store after his luggage went missing during a trip to Rockhampton in 2013.
Stewarts was established in 1862 by James Stewart and first opened on the corner of Denham and Bolsover Streets before it moved to its current position in 1864.
In the 1920s there were 300 people employed at the Rockhampton store, which also had branch stores in Mount Morgan, Blackall, Barcaldine and Longreach.
Prior to the Woods ownership, the store was owned by the Macfarlane family.
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