TODAY is the end of an era for Ballarat’s well-known Crocker family.After 142 years, the Crockers are ending their association with the Armstrong Street men’s, school and workwear store.But the shop — which will now be operated by Melbourne-based TD Noone Retailers — is keeping the famous Crocker name.Owner Robert Crocker said it would be business as usual at the store while he and wife Margaret enjoyed their retirement.“I was sort of sad but then I got to thinking it’s not really,” Mr Crocker said.“It’s still going to operate under our name.”Mr Crocker has been in the business for 49 years, following in the footsteps of his father Peter, grandfather Edwin and great-grandfather George, who founded the business from a horse and cart in 1869 and was Ballarat’s mayor in 1912-13 and 1919-20.The original Crockers store, known as “Crockers Hall of Commerce”, was built on the corner of Sturt and Armstrong streets before it was demolished to make way for the current 1960s-era Book City building.Crockers moved to its smaller Armstrong Street building, which was part of the original store and known as the “carpet department”, in 1989.George Crocker initially specialised in tailoring, drapery, dress and mantle-making and millinery before the family branched out into carpets, blankets, doormats and linoleum.In later years the store specialised in menswear, workwear and school wear.“Our customers have been very loyal,” Mr Crocker said.“We’ve had a lot of calls and one lady even came in especially to make sure she paid her bill before we finished up.”Mr Crocker said he was planning to travel, do some bushwalking and some cycling in his retirement.
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