Millers Department Store celebrated 135 years on Tuesday, July 14.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
In the centre of Bridge St is an historic business, which, after more than a century, remains a thriving retailer.
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On Tuesday, July 14, Millers Department Store marked 135 years in business, a significant milestone for a regionally based business.
Store co-owner Sheryl Coughlin, whose family’s own history is closely intertwined with the store’s, said it was a huge achievement for Millers.
“You’d have to think that Alexander Miller, when he first opened up 135 years ago, wouldn’t have had the faintest idea that it would last for so long,” Ms Coughlin said.
Thus far, celebrations in-store have been relatively low-key, with a 135 balloon display in the shop window, but the local community has well and truly celebrated the retailer’s milestone.
“It’s been amazing the number of people who have seen the window and dropped in to say happy birthday. It’s really nice that people do that,” Ms Coughlin said.
“We’ve had lots of people ring us up, wish us happy birthday and send us flowers.”
Nearly a century ago, Ms Coughlin’s family became involved with the business.
In 1932, her grandfather acquired the business, which was later taken over by her father.
Balloons are displayed in the shop’s window to celebrate the significant milestone.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
“My father passed away in 2006, and my mother just kept the store going,” Ms Couglin said.
“She passed away about three years ago and she left the business to my sister and I.
“It’s been a really important part of our family.”
As a result of the significant role the store plays in their family, Ms Coughlin and her sister are dedicated to keeping the history of the store alive.
In 2025, Ms Coughlin published a brochure detailing the store’s history, and she’s even working on a book capturing not only the history of Millers, but that of regional retail.
It’s not only stories and dates that the pair use to continue the business’s memory, but they also feel passionately about delivering timeless service in store.
“We see ourselves as really being the custodians of such a long history, and it’s something we think it really quite special and that we’re very fortunate and lucky to have the opportunity to keep it going,” Ms Coughlin said.
“We deliberately focus on customer service and giving people a really great shopping experience so they come away happy.”
Ms Coughlin said Millers’ staff were always interested in hearing about locals’ history with the store, with many having a shared memory of a cash railway decades ago.
She invited shoppers to share their experiences when inside the historic landmark.
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