Memories came flooding back when Tony Lamarra announced on Tuesday that he and wife, Adriana had bought the Dimmeys buiding in Auburn Street.
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The couple, who paid $5,025,000 for the iconic three-storey corner building, were thrilled to acquire a classic city icon.
Formerly the well known Rogers Store, Mr Lamarra recalled the day after he arrived in Goulburn on October 15, 1954. He was a dishwasher and his brother, a cook at Saint Patrick's College.
"I thought he asked me to buy two mirrors for St Pat's in the shop next to Rogers," he told The Post.
"I made a mistake and went to Rogers. I met Charles Rogers' son and I couldn't understand English. He helped me and neatly wrapped up two mirrors in parcels and put them on an account.
"I took them back to my brother and when he opened them, everyone burst out laughing."
In fact, his brother had wanted two copies of The Mirror newspaper, circulating at the time.
That was Mr Lamarra's first brush with Rogers and a progressive retail family that established their first Goulburn business in 1859. The distinctive corner building took shape in 1887 when it was the Salutation Inn but Rogers significantly added to it when he bought it in 1901, Tazewell's Grand Goulburn stated. This included the corner tower designed by EC Manfred.
Grace Brothers operated in the the 7000 square metre building for many years, until 1996 when Doug Zappelli bought the structure. Mr Zappelli decided to sell when Dimmeys announced its closure.
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"We bought it because of the history," Mr Lamarra said.
"I go back a long time with the Rogers' workers and I knew a lot of managers here. I liked the store and the people associated with it and wanted to invest in Goulburn. By us taking this on, workers don't have to worry about their jobs."
While existing tenant, Dimmeys, is closing as part of a broader store closure, franchise manager Geoff Maguire and eight employees are remaining. Mr Maguire and wife, Juanita, will open a new discount store, 'Best Buys of Goulburn', under a lease agreement.
"The Dimmeys closure was very unsettling, so being in control of our own future is very reassuring....None of our staff have left since the announcement and they'll remain loyal to the end," he said.
"It will be challenging times but we wouldn't be doing this if we didn't think it would work."
The new shop will initially occupy the front 1000sqm section and then expand to the rear 1200sqm. It will stock a similar range to Dimmeys, minus the clothing, but expanded variety products and rugs.
Mr Maguire joined Dimmeys in 1996 when he moved to Goulburn from Geelong and said he'd developed an attachment to the building. He hoped to start trading in the new outlet by the end of April, following an April 10 handover.
Harvey Norman, which occupies the lower level, will remain. Mr Mylonas said the chain would sign a lease renewal in coming weeks. The barber shop upstairs will also stay.
Mr Lamarra, a former Goulburn City Mayor and councillor and Italian immigrant, said he was very happy to invest in the city.
"Our livelihood is here and Goulburn's heritage is very close to my heart. Nothing will change in the store and I hope this encourages other local people to invest in the city," he said.
"Over $5m is a lot of money but happiness for the people here is more important."
The building was listed for sale four months ago. Mr Mylonas said it wasn't marketed widely and he approached parties directly. Clothing store, Rivers, had expressed interest and he also canvassed Spotlight.
"It's a most unique building in Goulburn - the history, location and there's only one of its kind," he said.
"The fact it had existing tenants was also a selling point."
He believed amid all the national economic uncertainty, Goulburn was "going against the tide," keeping stores open and people in work.
"This sends a message that there are people like Geoff willing to open up again. This is a unique story and shows that Goulburn has a pioneering spirit."
Mr Lamarra himself admires Charles Rogers for his entrepreneurial spirit and contribution to Goulburn's retail and civic life.
Friends, associates, Mayor Bob Kirk and council general manager Warwick Bennett joined the Lamarras for the in-store announcement on Tuesday.
While there, Mr Lamarra donated $2800 from Christmas decoration sales at his Bradfordville premises to Kerry Hort from the BDCU Goulburn Hospital Fundraising Committee. The funds will go towards a tilt table to treat physiotherapy patients.
Regarding the building, Cr Kirk said he was pleased to see jobs and investment stay in the city.
"If the place had to be sold, I couldn't think of a more loyal Goulburn people to buy it," he said.
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