This month, they will gather for a reunion to catch up with old friends and share memories of the Berry Street store which has been a retail outlet in Nowra since 1888. 

Back when Michelle Moy (nee Branson) started at the store, then known as Woodhills, the customer was king and regular fashion parades were held to display each season’s latest styles.

At the age of 15 Michelle left her classes at St Michael’s School to take the job.

“I was only 15 when I started. Someone came up to the school saying they wanted someone,” she said.

“They took me down to Woodhills and I was scared stiff. I worked in the material section at first, then I was in the shoe department. I got married when I was 21 but then they didn’t employ married women so I left. But later they rang and asked me to come back.”

She remembers counting buttons for the annual stocktake and modelling the clothes in the fashion parades. 

“I remember Miss Edith who used to organise the fashion parades. Mrs Eileen Morgan, who still lives in Nowra, would pick out the clothes for us,” she said.

“We used to get good crowds then. There weren’t many other shops around then and we had most of the clothes.”

Looking after the customers was drilled into staff members, something Michelle said is sadly missing today.

“We were taught how to approach people. Nowadays you’ve got to go and chase someone to serve you.”

Built in 1888 as McArthur’s Store, the shop became Woodhills in 1893, and later Emmotts, Mates, Youngs and then Grace Bros.

Jeanette Abernethy worked at Grace Bros for 17 years, up until the store closed.

She said in those days there wasn’t a high staff turnover, as people tended to stay in jobs longer.

“There was always a big emphasis on customer service,” she said.

“At one point we had to practise saying ‘Good morning, how may I help you?’ We thought we sounded like parrots.”

But did she ever see Claude, the legendary ghost of Grace Bros?

“I was upstairs on my own once when I heard a loud sigh behind me,” she said.

“I turned around but there was no one there.”

Jeannette made many good friends during her time at the store and like all the staff, and their loyal customers, was saddened when the decision was made to close the store.

Many people will also remember the Grace Bros in-store Santa Claus who was a fixture there at Christmas time for decades. 

“We always knew whoever it was in the suit, and you would have to remember not to call out to him with his real name,” Jeanette said.

The reunion will be held at the Ex-Servicemen’s Club’s Buffet Fusion on November 15 at 6.30pm.

To book call Caroline on 0417 653 537, Les on 4421 5433 (after 6pm) or Jeanette on 4421 3932.