ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact
A father of six from Betoota Heights has told The Advocate he remembers a time when the Catholic denizens of our bustling inland port city had a department store for themselves.
Needing a new 10-seater couch to accomodate his youngest kids graduation from sitting on the floor, Paul O’Connor said he’s forced now to shop at places like Freedom and Fantastic Furniture – at some God-less homemaker centre on the outskirts of town.
He recalls a time when he could do all of his shopping under one roof.
“I remember when us Catholics had our own department store. Grace Brothers is still in my heart,” said the upmarket cattle tick.
“You could buy a new bed, the latest in TV technology, rugs, plates and other kitchen items. Before the 2000 Olympic Games, I bought a 56-inch rear projection TV for the living room. A new microwave for the popcorn. I bought my dear wife Mary a new pair of church pumps. I got my eldest two kids new shoes for school. Come to think of it, I think I also bought my son an AirHog. I got some burgundy curtains to go with my burgundy couch, my burgundy rug and my burgundy coffee table. At the time, I think I also had a burgundy Jaguar S-Class. That was all in one trip to the French Quarter Westfield. The old one before they did it up,”
“In 1992, I was able to purchase a .308 CZ BRNO 550 over the counter. I think I may have even got a Colt Detective Special at the same time. They’re both still in a length of poly pipe buried in the back yard. You could get anything there.”
Paul chuckled to himself.
“I refuse to shop at David Jones. I’m not in the market for blue shirts, Mum jeans and RM Williams boots.”
More to come.
