One of Berry's most identifiable buildings is on the market.
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Wilson's Stores building at 97-99 Queen Street, Berry is being offered by expressions of interest by Glenn Brandon at Ray White South Coast.
"The sale of the Wilson's Stores building presents a truly unique opportunity," Mr Brandon said.
The purchaser will secure an iconic landmark mixed commercial premises in the thriving CBD of Berry.
The building boasts eight long-term tenants across a variety of industries including retail, professional suites, hairdressers and beauty, a restaurant with commercial kitchen and a residential unit.
"We launched the campaign on Monday and I have been taking a strong level of inquiry in the first 24/48 hours from a wide range of potential buyers," he said.
"Being such a high profile building in the main street of Berry this landmark has stood the test of time and whoever the new owner will become they will not just secure a great commercial property, but a part of Berry's history."
Berry being the gateway to the South Coast and Shoalhaven region, Mr Brandon said with the bypass of town in 2017, the retail and shopping precinct has gone from strength to strength.
"Being so close to Sydney, with its strong tourist trade, as well as continued residential development within the region, Berry proves to be an attractive destination now, and for years to come."
The building is 576 square metres on 692.2 square metres of land (.17 acre) and is zoned B2 (local centre).
The building is one of 11 historical Berry properties to be included in the Berry and District Historical Society's Green Plaques Project, which was launched in June 2017.
Each plaque features a brief summary of the building's history.
The building's plaque is worded:
Wilson's General Store The James Wilson & Co.
Store was built in 1892 as a general store and residence. James Wilson arrived in Australia in 1857 and his first job was on the Berry Estate.
The building has two dates displayed on the building - 1857 (the date James Wilson arrived in Australia) and 1892 (the date he moved into the building) having moved from his original business in Pulman Street, north of Berry.
For further information on the property contact Glenn Brandon at Ray White South Coast on 0438 207 846.
James Wilson's rich local history.
James Wilson was originally a punt man on the Back Forest Ferry from Broughton Creek to Numbaa, working for the Berry Estates and went on to become Berry's first mayor in 1869.
Born in 1834 at Derrykeighan, Ireland Wilson came to Australia from London in November 1856 aged 21 on board the Star of Peace arriving in Sydney on February 20, 1857.
On arrival he approached the employment agency Oliver Staines and was subsequently engaged for the Berry Estate as a ferryman.
He traveled to the Shoalhaven on board Berry's schooner, Porpoise and made his own agreement with David Berry.
He was contracted to Berry as an overseer for the operation and repairs of the Back Forest Punt over Broughton Creek across to Numbaa. (a distance 400 yards wide)
He also started his career selling Manchester from suitcases at the Back Forest Wharf from March 1857 until 1860 and eventually built a small store near the ferry.
He formed a partnership with Thomas Morton Richards, solicitor, and had a butcher, pharmacy, general store and also a tannery on Tannery Creek at Broughton Creek, on land leased from Berry.
In 1861 James formed the company Wilson and Co General Storekeepers with a personal friend James Stewart.
He built a store and residence on the corner of Pulman Lane on the now Princes Highway - the first general store in the settlement.
By 1892 he had expanded and built the Wilson's Store building Berry's main street.
He built 'Glenworth', a grand Victorian two-storey house and associated out-buildings on Berry Mountain (c 1880). with its grounds having stunning views over the Berry township, escarpment and beyond to the sea.
Elected the area's first mayor in 1869, he served until 1872 and was again mayor in 1876 -77
He died at Berry on July 22, 1901.
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