HISTORY OF THE COLOMBO STREET SITE

The Company that would eventually become Smiths City Group Limited began when Henry Cooper Smith purchased 550 Colombo Street, Christchurch (formerly the Ward & Company City Brewery) in 1918 and commenced business trading as The City Market.  The business was initially involved with auctioning of grain and product, and then livestock and general goods, however gradually expanded its product range to include retailing of new and used furniture and hardware lines.

 In 1933 a horse sale ring building was built at 550 Colombo Street and farmers sale yards closed, and in 1961 a block of shops on Colombo Street on the north side of Dundas Street was bought and added to the store frontage.  This was closely followed in 1963 by the purchase of the Sucklings Shoes cafeteria buildings in Colombo Street on the north side of the Dundas Street, also to be added to the store frontage.

 1968 brought the demolition of the auction rooms and the building of the Builders Drive-Thru and the parking building in Dundas Street.  This parking building had a further two floors added in 1969, and the top deck added to it in 1974, connecting both sides of the street, an innovative idea at this time!

 Since this time, there have been upgrades and renovations of the premises, culminating in a full external upgrade of the Colombo Street store in 2001.  As we continue to grow and expand, we are sure there will be many more changes to ensure continued market success.