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Some time during the early 1930s in the depth of the Great Depression, two young businessmen of Shepparton formed a partnership, and started a grocery and provision business at 92 High St, Shepparton (now Andy O’Dea’s Saddlery).
The popular partners enjoyed the custom of many hundreds of families in the Shepparton area, and prospered against all opposition, but with the passing of time and the coming of the supermarkets’ serve-yourself system, the Smythe and Dainton shop owners thought it was time to retire after over 30 years’ service to customers who had become close friends.
The partners carefully laid aside some of the contents of the old shop.
The fine old pit-sawn counter top, 4 metres by 1 metre all in one piece, was still intact with the old National cash register and bacon cutter, both well preserved and only needing slight repairs.
These have now been handed over to the Shepparton and Goulburn Valley Historical Society and the little grocery shop of which many people in Shepparton have happy memories is carefully restored in the new extension of the museum.
The shop with its rows of brightly labelled tins and packets is a highlight of the society’s collection which will open to the public during the three-day Easter weekend on April 5, 6 and 7.