The building, now known as The General Merchant, inspired Mr Mulligan to erect a larger premises the follow year right next door, to house a department store.

A whopping 150 years later, The Premier Store still stands in the same location as one of Inverell’s most prominent businesses.

The significant time frame alone puts The Premier Store as potentially Australia’s oldest continuously running business of its type still operating from its original location.

To celebrate the huge milestone, the store will hold a 150-year reunion for all past and present staff members. 

Owner David Ferris along with the help of the Inverell district history group have dug into The Premier Store’s rich history to compile a book for the reunion.

“The building we are in now was built in 1901. I’m not sure how they managed it, but people were still able to buy items during the construction of this building which means there has been a store running in the same location continuously for 150 years,” he said.

Jewish businessman Ernie Roos, who arrived in Australia from San Francisco in the 1870s, had grand plans for the business but found the building was inadequate.

He entered into a “curious arrangement” with his sister-in-law, who was the landowner at the time, to build the store at his own expense; in return Mr Roos was given 25 years rent free.

Unfortunately, the agreement outlived them both. 

An article in the 1901 Inverell Times described the building as a “handsome business block in Byron Street” with “architecture, which is iconic in style” and “unique and attractive”.

Standing the test of time as an independent retail shop, The Premier Store has seen many significant changes.

Mr Ferris said self-service groceries arrived in store around 1964 which was an historic shift from the traditional “packed over the counter by staff” way.

“The general store has had drapery, clothing, groceries, giftware, footwear, underwear and most of the hardware was for a long period stored next door in the Farmhouse building,” he said.

Another significant change, according to Mr Ferris, was when cash registers took over the “flying fox” system.

The office used to be at the back of the store and all cash and dockets were sent from the various counters throughout the store.

Mr Ferris contributed smart business moves a factor of the store’s longevity, along with community loyalty and professional staff.

“I think we’ve made changes at the right time. For instance when the bigger supermarkets were built, my father decided to go out of groceries and focus on the stronger departments. It was a good move at the time.

“Also when we’ve spent money on infrastructure, it’s been at important times. The store was renovated to its current look in 1997 and it still maintains its modern appearance,” he said.

Mr Roos sold the business to Messrs Pepper and Cutcher five years after building the store and in 1913 Mr Cutcher sold his interest to Mr Pepper.

The store was purchased by Mr Fuller and Mr Meyer in 1924, who were both staff members. The business, with a strong emphasis on the country farming community, flourished.

Mr Meyer died in 1941 and several years later a partnership was offered to Stan Gunson, leading to a change in name ‘Fuller and Gunson’. The two had equal shares with store employee Joe Ferris having a five per cent share interest.

Mr Ferris quickly became heavily involved in the management. Mr Fuller passed away in 1961. Having no children he bequeathed his interests to Mr Ferris.

Three years later Mr Gunson retired and Mr Ferris obtained a long-term finance to purchase his interest in the business and property.

The last name change of the business occurred in 1975 when Mr Joe Ferris decided to, because of the long history of the firm being referred to as “The Premier Store”, change it to Premier Inverell.

Mr Ferris died in 1985, and with his wife, Jean, passing just four months later, the business was passed onto their four children; the youngest, David, now has 100 per cent ownership.

The Ferris family have a long association with the store, Joe’s parents were long term customers and two eldest brothers worked there in the 1920s and 30s. 

Joe’s brother Alan was employed as a ‘dog whalloper’ to ensure that bolts of fabric displayed out the front were not soiled by passing dogs.

“One of the most important aspects of the business to my father was the staff, as is still the case today. 

“Previous staff members still remind me of their fond memories working at the store and the respect they had for my father and his generosity,” he said.

David Ferris' son and father’s namesake, Joe, works in the business full-time, and his daughter Lydia works at the store during holidays. With the third generation now working in the store he hopes to see The Premier Store remain strong for years to come.