HERITAGE NOOSA
HERITAGE NOOSA
Jarman Bros
ABOUT THIS ITEM
Additional InformationIn 1919, brothers Roy Jarman and Horace Jarman, upon returning from service in World War I, purchased Shelswell’s Hairdressing and Newsagency in Cooroy and began trading as Jarman Bros. They were later joined in the business by their brother Sydney. The business was a hairdresser, tobacconist, newsagent, and agent for Rugby and Durant cars and trucks.
Jarman Bros premises also housed a billiards saloon for which they held the appropriate license. The saloon was the venue for numerous championships and tournaments. Jarman Bros saloon also included card tables where competitions of games such as 500 were held. The tables were covered in a cotton cloth known as ‘Janet’ which is distinct from woollen cloth in having no nap.
On 27 October 1926, the premises was completely destroyed by an overnight fire that burned five businesses on the Cooroy-Tewantin Road. Fortunately, the reservoir for the petrol bowser, which only been installed a few months prior, at the front of the business was fireproof and held. The firm’s loss was considerable although jewellery and £40 in cash was stored in the safe and may have survived. The day following the fire the safe was too hot to touch and open. A shed not far from the premises which stored benzene was not endangered by the blaze. The business was insured for 1200 pounds and the premises, owned by Mr G. L. Thompson of Brisbane, was also insured. Jarman Bros immediately made arrangements to recommence business in temporary premises, pending rebuilding of the destroyed buildings. A magisterial inquiry into the fire was subsequently held at which Constable Burge stated that he had undertaken investigation but to date had not found any suspicious circumstances.
In November 1926, Jarman Bros purchased from Mr G T Thompson the land their former premises had occupied and contracted with Mr R Caddell for the erection of a double-fronted shop, 66ft x 30 ft to include a billiard room 34 ft x 30ft at a cost of over £1000. It was hoped construction would be complete by the end of January 1927.
Just a month prior to the fire, in September, 1925, the business had come under threat from thieves who used an auger to bore out the woodwork around the lock on the front door to gain entry. They then placed a charge of explosives in the key hole of the safe. Fortunately, the explosives did nothing more than jam the lock and spatter the walls of the shop and fittings with the mud used for tamping the charge. The safe at the time contained jewellery and cash to the value of £100. The thieves left the premises with a small quantity of cigars and cigarettes.
Outlining the Christmas offerings at local businesses, the Noosa Advocate states:
It would be difficult to name off hand, an article of the usual gift variety which Messrs Jarman Bros of Cooroy have not in stock. Their establishment is really almost entitled the adjective of ‘universal’ in this respect. From hundreds of articles notices on their shelves, we mention a few as a guide to purchasers of Xmas presents: -- Manicure sets, smokers’ sets, fancy boxes of soap, bottles of perfume, vanity sets, pipes in cases, torches of all classes, including those with 5, 3 and 2 cells, fountain pens, xylonite shingle sets, fancy boxes of writing paper, compendiums, cameras at all prices, fancy boxes of cigars, smokers’ companion sets, cycles for boys etc. The firm also cater for the motorist with extensive stocks of motor parts, tyres, tubes etc.
In 1930, the Noosa Advocate describes the store as having:
…a good assortment of stationery in boxes, compendiums, brush sets, shaving sets, razors, boxes of soaps and perfumes, fountain pen and pencils sets, fancy boxes of cigars, a large range of cigarettes of all brands and in various packages, cameras, torches and other useful articles. For those desiring jewellery [sic], the firm makes the extraordinary offer of all their stock at half price. All motor requisites are retailed at city prices.
By 1932, the business was being advertised as L. T. Elmer (Late Jarman Bros). In 1933, Elmer sold the business to Mr J Shackleton of Tewantin.
SOURCE: Adoptadigger, Noosa Advocate and Cooroora Advertiser, Nambour Chronicle
Jarman Bros premises also housed a billiards saloon for which they held the appropriate license. The saloon was the venue for numerous championships and tournaments. Jarman Bros saloon also included card tables where competitions of games such as 500 were held. The tables were covered in a cotton cloth known as ‘Janet’ which is distinct from woollen cloth in having no nap.
On 27 October 1926, the premises was completely destroyed by an overnight fire that burned five businesses on the Cooroy-Tewantin Road. Fortunately, the reservoir for the petrol bowser, which only been installed a few months prior, at the front of the business was fireproof and held. The firm’s loss was considerable although jewellery and £40 in cash was stored in the safe and may have survived. The day following the fire the safe was too hot to touch and open. A shed not far from the premises which stored benzene was not endangered by the blaze. The business was insured for 1200 pounds and the premises, owned by Mr G. L. Thompson of Brisbane, was also insured. Jarman Bros immediately made arrangements to recommence business in temporary premises, pending rebuilding of the destroyed buildings. A magisterial inquiry into the fire was subsequently held at which Constable Burge stated that he had undertaken investigation but to date had not found any suspicious circumstances.
In November 1926, Jarman Bros purchased from Mr G T Thompson the land their former premises had occupied and contracted with Mr R Caddell for the erection of a double-fronted shop, 66ft x 30 ft to include a billiard room 34 ft x 30ft at a cost of over £1000. It was hoped construction would be complete by the end of January 1927.
Just a month prior to the fire, in September, 1925, the business had come under threat from thieves who used an auger to bore out the woodwork around the lock on the front door to gain entry. They then placed a charge of explosives in the key hole of the safe. Fortunately, the explosives did nothing more than jam the lock and spatter the walls of the shop and fittings with the mud used for tamping the charge. The safe at the time contained jewellery and cash to the value of £100. The thieves left the premises with a small quantity of cigars and cigarettes.
Outlining the Christmas offerings at local businesses, the Noosa Advocate states:
It would be difficult to name off hand, an article of the usual gift variety which Messrs Jarman Bros of Cooroy have not in stock. Their establishment is really almost entitled the adjective of ‘universal’ in this respect. From hundreds of articles notices on their shelves, we mention a few as a guide to purchasers of Xmas presents: -- Manicure sets, smokers’ sets, fancy boxes of soap, bottles of perfume, vanity sets, pipes in cases, torches of all classes, including those with 5, 3 and 2 cells, fountain pens, xylonite shingle sets, fancy boxes of writing paper, compendiums, cameras at all prices, fancy boxes of cigars, smokers’ companion sets, cycles for boys etc. The firm also cater for the motorist with extensive stocks of motor parts, tyres, tubes etc.
In 1930, the Noosa Advocate describes the store as having:
…a good assortment of stationery in boxes, compendiums, brush sets, shaving sets, razors, boxes of soaps and perfumes, fountain pen and pencils sets, fancy boxes of cigars, a large range of cigarettes of all brands and in various packages, cameras, torches and other useful articles. For those desiring jewellery [sic], the firm makes the extraordinary offer of all their stock at half price. All motor requisites are retailed at city prices.
By 1932, the business was being advertised as L. T. Elmer (Late Jarman Bros). In 1933, Elmer sold the business to Mr J Shackleton of Tewantin.
SOURCE: Adoptadigger, Noosa Advocate and Cooroora Advertiser, Nambour Chronicle
Photograph
People & Family
Advertisement
Jarman Bros. Heritage Noosa, accessed 29/04/2025, https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/9671
